§ Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is considerable public resentment at the fact that alien women interned in the Isle of Man are to be fully provided for by the Government in hotels and boarding houses at a payment of 21s. a week and are to be provided with swimming baths, tennis courts and golf links, while the wife of a private soldier in the Army gets an allowance of 17s. a week plus 7s. deducted from her husband's pay; and whether any arrangements have been made by which these alien women do any work of a useful character or have to carry out the domestic duties necessary in connection with their own maintenance, such as cooking, house-cleaning, etc.?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe suggestion that specially favourable conditions are being provided for women interned in the Isle of Man is based, I think, on a misapprehension. The place chosen for their internment was selected after consultation with the Island authorities, not because of its amenities, but because it is most suitable for purposes of security. Payment must be made by the Government to those persons whose premises are being used for the internment of these women and for the provision of food, and the rates fixed are the minima required for these purposes. The question what arrangements can be made to utilise so1006W far as possible the services of the women interned is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. Harveyasked the Home Secretary whether arrangements have yet been made for reconsideration of the case of German and Austrian schoolboys between the ages of 16 and 18 who have recently been interned, with a view to the resumption of their school life under suitable safeguards?
§ Sir J. AndersonNominal rolls were called for last week in order that these cases may be individually examined as quickly as circumstances permit.
§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the adverse effect on several industrial undertakings employing English workpeople, in some cases on war work, through the sudden internment of their refugee owners or key-men; that many of these workpeople are now unemployed; that many of these owners and key-men had suffered brutal treatment and had been granted C certificates; and whether he will take early steps at least to allow such refugees to return and be confined to the vicinity of their industrial estates in order that their workpeople can be re-employed or continue their work?
§ Sir J. AndersonSteps are being taken to review the cases of Germans and Austrians recently interned under general directions where it is claimed that their release would be definitely and directly in the national interest, but it will not be possible to allow the return of any such person to the coastal zone or any protected area unless I can be fully satisfied that his return would not prejudice the national security.