asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will now review their request to the Rumanian Government to refuse passage of Jewish refugees over the Polish-Rumanian frontier, where 600 are now starving at the present time?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared in present circumstances to invite the Rumanian Government to modify their policy regarding the passage of Jewish refugees through Rumanian territory.

Is it not a fact that the Rumanian policy was initiated under pressure from His Majesty's Government, and could we not cease this anti-Semitism now that we are really at war with Hitler?

We have left Rumanian policy to the discretion of the Rumanian Government. It is true that His Majesty's Government made a request to the Rumanian Government to that effect.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to consult the Press authorities concerning the essential qualifications of any additional staff appointed to the Ministry of Information?

I have been asked to reply. In the filling of all the more important posts in the Ministry of Information with which the Press are particularly concerned, close consultation took place with the chosen representatives of the Press; and this consultation will certainly con- tinue as regards any future appointments of a similar nature.

How does the Minister account for the unfortunate incident on Saturday when a London evening paper rang up and were asked who the P.A. were, and were then asked to put their story in such a form as to enable a certain individual to understand the nature of their inquiry?

I have not heard of this incident. I must say it surprises me very much. I will certainly investigate it. I am sure the Press Association is well known to everyone.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that until the new premises where the Ministry of Information is now established are complete the censorship should be left in the cabling offices, because in the last two or three days it has been first in one place and then another and has caused great—

rose—

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to deal with aliens in time of war?

The plans prepared are based on the principle that effective steps must be taken to render harmless all aliens who may be hostile to this country, but that there should be no unnecessary interference with other foreigners, of whom many are anxious to help this country. Certain security measures have already been taken. A number of aliens whose suspicious activities have been under observation are already under detention.

An Order-in-Council has been made amending the peace-time Aliens Order in a number of respects. The new Order requires all enemy aliens (that is, Germans and Austrians) who are over the age of 16 and do not intend to leave the country at once, to report to the police, and provides that they must obtain police permits for change of residence, for travelling, and for the possession of certain articles, including cameras and motor cars. The new Order also provides that non-enemy aliens over 16 who are not already registered with the police must register if they intend to remain in the United Kingdom. It also gives a power of control over the departure of aliens. There is no intention of hindering generally the departure of those who wish to leave, but this power is required in special cases for security purposes. A large proportion of the Germans and Austrians at present in this country are refugees, and there will, I am sure, be a general desire to avoid treating as enemies those who are friendly to the country which has offered them asylum. At the same time, care must be taken to sift out any persons who, though claiming to be refugees, may not, in fact, be friendly to this country.

To avoid risks, I propose that, to supplement the information already in my possession, there shall be an immediate review of all Germans and Austrians in this country, and I am asking a number of men with legal experience to assist me in this matter. These examiners will sit not only in London but in the provinces, and each of them will examine all cases in the district assigned to him with a view to considering which of these can properly be left at large and which should be interned or subjected to other restrictions. I am also arranging for a similar review, by a special tribunal, of all Czechs-Slovaks. Citizens of the former republic of Czecho-Slovakia will not be treated as enemy aliens—

This is reparation for Munich.

—although there may be amongst them certain individuals who will be subjected to restrictions similar to those applicable to enemy aliens.

There will be an increasing demand for labour and services of all kinds, and I am anxious that use shall be made of the help of friendly aliens in any direction in which their assistance may be advantageous to this country. For this purpose, I am in consultation with the Minister of Labour as to the manner in which use can be made of the services of aliens who are not at present at liberty to take employment. I hope it may be possible to arrange that aliens who are friendly to this country may be found employment through the Employment Exchanges. By use of the exchanges, their services can be directed to appropriate channels, and any danger of their employment interfering with the interests of British subjects can be obviated.

As regards German and Austrian women in domestic employment who do not return home, there are many whose presence here need cause no anxiety, and any general measure depriving householders of their services would cause unnecessary difficulties. The policy will be, by a careful review of individual cases, to take appropriate precautions as regards any whose friendliness to this country may be in doubt.

British-born women who have lost British nationality by marriage to a foreigner are at present exempted from the requirement to register with the police. In cases of British-born women who are of German or Austrian nationality by marriage it will no longer be possible to maintain this general exemption. Such women must now report to the police, but in any exceptional case, such, for example, as that of a woman who has for some time been separated from her German husband, it will be open to the police to recommend that she be exempted from the requirements of the new Order.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the spirit of his reply, and may I put this question, quite simply? Am I to take it that the policy of His Majesty's Government is to draw a sharp distinction between those who are the victims of the system we are now fighting, and those who may be properly under suspicion?

That very accurately describes the spirit that we have endeavoured to introduce into this statement.

Into which category—Czechs or Germans—do the stateless Jews come?

I must ask for notice of that question—or, at any rate, I will give an undertaking to look into it, but I would rather not reply generally straight away.

In the case of any suspected alien who has been arrested and interned and who maintains his innocence, what power is there for full consideration to be given to his case?

We propose to set up an advisory committee to hear any representations from internees and to advise the Secretary of State whether they can properly be released.

Does that include representations by Members of this House who have personal knowledge of such people and can vouch for their reliability?

Every relevant consideration will be taken into account.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of drawing a distinction between Austrians and Germans and placing the Austrians in the same category as Czecho-Slovaks, seeing that their country was taken from them without their consent? Is he aware that there is a very strong feeling to that effect among the Austrian community, who are only too anxious to serve this country?

I can give the House an assurance that there will be every desire, while keeping considerations of security paramount, to show sympathy for the kind of case that the hon. Lady has in mind, but sweeping distinctions of the kind she suggested, automatically applied, would not be compatible with the public interest.

With regard to women who have married enemy aliens, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these women are now returning of their own free will, even though they have not been separated from their husbands for a long time, and would it not be better not to have a stereotyped rule such as the right hon. Gentleman has suggested, as many of these women to whom I have referred have no longer any sympathy with Germany?

That certainly will be considered. Many of these cases are cases for which we must have every sympathy. But the House will realise that the new obligation is merely to keep the authorities informed.

Can my right hon. Friend give the position of Palestinian subjects or other subjects in Mandated Territories?

I am not sure how that question arises, but I will look into it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the position of those persons who have applied for naturalisation and whose applications are still under consideration? Will the consideration of these applications be expedited?

I do not know that I can promise that the consideration will be expedited. On the other hand, I do not contemplate that it will be necessary to put a stop altogether to the consideration of such applications.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many hundreds of Czech subjects in this country and many thousands abroad are prepared to fight for this country, and has any decision been come to on the matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that where aliens are proved to be enemy aliens and have to be interned, they will be put to productive work instead of acting as parasites on the nation?

That will be considered.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman feels —and quite rightly—that a British woman married to a German or an Austrian may be influenced in some way, and, therefore, should register as an alien, does he not think—and I put this in all seriousness—that surely the same consideration should be applied in the case of a British man married to a German woman?

British subjects are not, as such, wholly exempted from all scrutiny from the standpoint of security.

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information regarding the sinking of the steamship "Athenia," on 3rd September?

I regret to inform the House that a signal was received in the Admiralty at about 11 p.m. last night giving the information that the steamship "Athenia" had been torpedoed in a position about 200 miles north-west of Ireland at 8.59 p.m. Orders had already been given by local Commanders for destroyers to proceed to her assistance, and by shortly after midnight four destroyers were proceeding at high speed towards the position. They should have been near the position by about 10 a.m. this morning. A further signal was received from the Master of the ''Athenia'' at about 1 a.m. this morning stating that there were 1,400 passengers, some of whom were still on board, and that the ship was sinking fast.

The "Athenia," a ship of 15,000 tons and belonging to the Donaldson Lines, left Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd September, bound for Montreal. She had been ordered to steer on a course well off her normal track, and would presumably have been steaming at about 15 knots. She had 1,400 passengers on board, amongst whom were over 300 United States citizens.

It will be recollected that in 1935 Germany agreed to abide by Part 4 of the London Naval Treaty of 1930 in perpetuity, and was one of the first Powers to do so. These articles state that the following are accepted as established rules of international law:—

"(i) With regard to merchant ships, submarines must conform to the rules of international law to which surface vessels are subject.

(ii) In particular, except in the case of persistent refusal to stop on being duly summoned or of active resistance to visit and search, a warship, whether surface or submarine, may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant ship without having first placed passengers, crew and ships papers in a place of safety. For this purpose the ships boats are not regarded as a place of safety unless the safety of the passengers and crew is assured, in the existing sea and weather conditions, or proximity of land, or the presence of another vessel which is in a position to take them on board."

That is the law. Since the 26th August all British merchant ships in the Atlantic have been diverted from their normal routes. Orders were given for the institution of convoy on one route as soon as war was declared. Of course it will take a little time to institute a general system of convoy, but that is being pressed to the utmost.

A message has been received in the Admiralty this morning from the master of the "Athenia" stating that the passengers and crew, except those killed by the explosion, had taken to the boats and had been picked up by various ships. The fortunate escape of the survivors of the outrage does not alter the fact that under no circumstances can open boats 200 miles from land be regarded as a place of safety.

Before I put one or two supplementary questions to the First Lord, whose appearance in this position we all welcome at this stage, may I say with what profound horror, disgust and indignation all sections of the population will greet this new act by Germans against our Mercantile Marine? We wish to express our utmost sympathy with those, no matter to whatever nationality they belong, who have suffered as a result of this unpardonable outrage. May I ask the First Lord whether he can tell us if it is certain in the minds of the Board of Admiralty that the convoy system can be quickly and efficiently expanded to cover all reasonable precautions on these routes within a very short time? We, of course, have in mind that the war in Poland started as early as Friday morning last, and we are anxious that at this stage, without appearing to be critical, that that convoy system should be perfected at the earliest possible moment.

I need scarcely say that the utmost endeavours will be used to employ all our means of escorts to their fullest possible capacity, and to adopt such other methods as may be necessary for vessels which fall outside the class and cannot at this moment be convoyed. We have every belief that the convoy system will be brought into complete operation at a comparatively early date. In the meanwhile all that is possible is being done.

May I ask whether immediate steps will be taken through the American Embassy in charge of our affairs in Berlin to draw immediate attention to this outrageous breaking of the Submarine Convention by Germany?

There are several legal issues which arise from this outrage, but I do not feel able to speak upon them particularly at this moment. A question, perhaps, to-morrow might elucidate the legal or juridical aspects involved.

May I ask a question which the First Lord may not be able immediately to answer but to which he might give his consideration? In order to afford an assurance to the men of the Mercantile Marine that their interests will be properly safeguarded, are we to understand that the measures devised in connection with the insurance of personal effects and the payment of compensation which were agreed to in the last few days will come into operation in respect of any of the men affected by this disaster?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question to me on the next opportunity in the House, I will see that I am in a position to answer it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say how many seamen have lost their lives in the disaster and how many passengers?

I have given to the House the whole of the information in ray possession.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this ship was fitted with defensive armament, and will he make it clear that the ship was torpedoed without any warning whatever?

It certainly was torpedoed without the slightest warning, in circumstances which the whole opinion of the world after the late War, in which Germany concurred, stigmatised as inhumane. According to my present information—I must confess that I have not had any opportunity of confirming it precisely—the ship was not in any way an auxiliary cruiser.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in establishing the convoy system, which he contemplates at the earliest possible date, he will have some regard to a method of sorting ships for uniform speed and not, as on the last occasion, have a system under which the speed of the slowest ship was the speed of the whole of the ships in the convoy? If cargo liners could be brought together into the convoy system on the basis of something like uniform speed, it might do a great deal towards minimising the submarine peril.

indicated assent.