§ Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Home Secretary whether he can now give particulars of the suicide of Professor Fritz Mayer, when visited by the authorities for internment; what compensation to the family will be paid in the circumstances; and whether he will give instructions to prevent the authorities from abusing their right of interview in the case of innocent aliens who have been friends of the country?
§ Sir J. AndersonI deeply regret that Professor Mayer committed suicide when the police called at his flat to effect his internment in pursuance of the general directions for the internment of certain categories of Germans and Austrians. At the inquest the widow stated that the police were kind to her husband and showed him every consideration, and I am satisfied that no blame attaches to the police. Much as I sympathise with the widow, I regret that it is not possible to make any grant to her out of public funds.
§ Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the policy of reconsideration being given to the classes of Nazi refugees to be interned, he will instruct the police not to effect further internments?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe police already have instructions not to arrest for internment enemy aliens whose cases fall within the categories of exemption and to postpone internment in other cases presenting exceptional features.