§ Mr. Rileyasked the Home Secretary the number of C refugees now interned; and whether he is prepared to issue instructions for the immediate release of all anti-Nazi internees providing satisfactory arrangements are available for their reception or employment?
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§ Mr. H. MorrisonI regret that figures are not available showing how many of the persons belonging to the C category and still in internment are refugees. As regards the remainder of the question, some extensions have been made on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee to the categories of persons eligible for release, and these extensions are shown in the new White Paper which is being published to-day. The Advisory Committee are continuing their examination of the problem and I hope soon to receive their final recommendations. Meanwhile I would point out that it is open to internees under 55 years of age to volunteer for the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps.
§ Mr. Daggarasked the Home Secretary whether he has now reached a decision in the case about which he received a communication, on the 6th August, from the hon. Member for Abertillery concerning Mrs. D. A. Zerbino, an Englishwoman, whose husband, an Italian, had been interned, who had lived all her life in Bristol, received on 16th June three days' notice from the chief constable of that city to leave her home, since when she has resided with a lady friend at Abertillery, whereas, were she permitted to return to Bristol, she could probably obtain employment so as to meet rent arrears that have accumulated during her absence; and will he enquire into the delay that has taken place in this case and ensure that honourable Members dealing direct with his department are promptly answered?
§ Mr. MorrisonBristol is in an aliens protected area and the policy, settled in consultation with the Service Departments and the Security Services, is not to allow persons of enemy nationality to reside in these areas: I fully appreciate the hardship caused to individuals, but this case cannot be treated as if it stood alone. If this lady were allowed to reside in the protected area, similar concessions would have to be made in numerous other cases. I regret the delay in replying to my hon. Friend's letter. This was due to the fact that two other applications were received, one from the husband for release and one from the wife for naturalisation, and until both these questions had been settled it was not possible to reply to my hon. Friend's inquiry.
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§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that letters to and from internees in Huyton Camp are still taking 10 days, and frequently more; and whether he can do anything to expedite the arrangements?
§ Mr. MorrisonA great deal has been done to remove the delays which previously existed with regard to the correspondence of internees. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that these letters are subject to censorship, which may cause delay in individual cases, but there is no such delay as the Question suggests with regard to the bulk of the correspondence reaching or leaving Huyton Camp.
§ Mr. W. Robertsasked the Home Secretary whether there is anything in the regulations for the control of alien internment camps which prevents an alien, below the age for enlistment in the Pioneer Corps, receiving the books which are necessary to continue the course of study in which he was engaged prior to internment?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am anxious that internees, whatever their age, should have all reasonable facilities for continuing or engaging in courses of study, and various steps have been taken to arrange for the supply of the requisite books. An individual internee can have new books sent to him direct from a publisher, bookseller or printer, but, for security reasons, cannot be allowed to receive used copies of books from private individuals whose bona fides the camp authorities have no means of verifying.