A re-examination by the British Government of the question of interning 40,000 German nationals in this country was demanded today in the House of Lords by Lord Ailwyn who argued that these nationals constitute a “potential danger.” He also asked repatriation of these refugees at the earliost possible moment after the cessation of hostilities.
Replying, Lord Templewood said that Lord Ailwyn generalized too much. He painted cut that many Jewish refugees have given services of greatest value to Britain.
Figures made public here today on the number of Jewish refugees in England reveal that 10,000 left the country before the outbreak of the war. Of the remaining 50,000 about 12,700 have left since the war. It is estimated by Jewish groups here that another 14,000 will emigrate overseas after the war. About 7,000 Jewish refugees are serving in the British armed forces.
The industries developed by Jewish refugees during the war absorb more local workers than the total number of Jewish refugees in the whole of England. Although Jewish leaders have no definite information as to the status which the government may give the refugees after the war, they hope that no drastic steps will be taken and that a large number of refugees will be allowed to remain in the country. They also believe that refugees serving in the armed forces and those engaged important war work will be naturalized.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
