Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the desire of many of those serving in the Pioneer Corps to join the Fighting Services, especially as air pilots; and will he permit such transfer, commissioned or otherwise, and under what circumstances, conditions and safeguards?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Does the qualification about nationality rule out enemy aliens who are friendly to this country and who are allowed in the Pioneer Corps?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of expenses no Income Tax is paid, but that in the case of salaries a very heavy Income Tax is paid, and, therefore, it is more important to know what expenses are paid than salaries?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Is he not drawing expenses?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Will not all the internees be let out before then?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Home Secretary whether he will empower local authorities to occupy empty or vacant houses which could suitably be used as rest centres and assembling places for street fire watchers, since such centres would help both the scheme and the volunteers in residential areas?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Home Secretary whether he will abolish altogether the curfew restrictions on those aliens who have already volunteered for, and are actively engaged in, the voluntary fire-watching and fighting scheme?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress is being made in the exchange of internees in Germany and Palestine; and, in particular, whether he will consider enlisting the good offices of the United States of America Government in the matter?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Will the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to attacks on this country by the French official wireless, apropos of Joan of Arc, and to the reported fitting out of German raiders in Japanese ports; and whether he will consider some more effective answer than protests to such hostile actions?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the policy of appeasement has failed, and that we must make these countries as afraid of us as they are of the Germans?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: What were the suspicions? Were they thought to be Communists or Fascists?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: My hon. Friend said in his reply that they could not be released because the conditions were not the same as in this country. I should like to know whether they are having the same treatment as internees in this country?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Can my hon. Friend say who these Governments are?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: In view of the great importance of this matter, cannot we have an opportunity of debating it?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as anti-Nazi women aliens of German-Jewish origin are now being admitted on like terms with British to the ranks of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the air-raid precautions Services, he will now permit approved cases to enter the Women's Royal Naval Service?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Am I to understand from the Minister's answer that there is a bar against these women in the Navy which does not exist in the other Forces of the Crown, and, if so, why?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of all the circumstances, and of the admission of friendly aliens to the Auxiliary Territorial Service, he will remove the ban on entry into the Home Guard of those whose parents were not born British subjects, while retaining all necessary safeguards?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: Cannot my hon. Friend take advantage of this unique opportunity, when we have landlords and anti-landlords agreeing on a policy?
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ask for a return, not to be published, showing, for each zone of the Home Guard how many have been enrolled; and of these how many have passed through each course on rifle shooting, grenade throwing, bayonet fighting, field-craft, street fighting, signalling and gas drill, with a view to stimulating backward areas?
