HC Deb 11 October 1939 vol 352 cc369-70W
Sir A. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary (1) how many internment camps have been established for enemy aliens; how many persons have been interned in them to date; and how many boys of 14 to 18 years of age are interned;

(2) whether he is aware that at certain internment camps internees have been refused leave to write to the Swiss Ambassador and their letters to him torn up, and that the regulations regarding treatment of internees are habitually disregarded; and whether he will make immediate inquiries with a view to preventing such cases?

Mr. Peake

There are six internment camps in use at present and there are 337 persons interned therein as enemy aliens. These include persons who were resident in this country on the outbreak of war, persons of enemy nationality who arrived at ports after the outbreak of war and crews of captured ships. Of the persons resident in this country who were interned, none is under the age of 18, but I understand that amongst the crews of captured ships there are a few youths under this age. The question of what special arrangements can be made for these youths is now under consideration.

At one camp I have ascertained that the Commandant refused to forward to the Swiss Legation a letter signed by six persons, owing to the terms in which it was couched. The writers were, however, informed that they might ask the Swiss Minister to send a representative to inspect the camp. Such a letter was written and forwarded. I know no ground for the suggestion that the regulations regarding the treatment of prisoners are habitually disregarded.