§ Mr. BOOTHBY (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the serious situation in Germany; whether he can give the House any information on the subject; whether he is satisfied with regard to the security of British lives and property in Germany; and whether he proposes to make any representations to the German Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONI receive, of course, frequent reports from His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin on the situation in Germany. There is no specific fact to add to the matters of fact already reported in the Press. As regards the safety of British lives and property, I must assume that the German Government will continue to discharge their responsibility in reference to British subjects and interests in Germany, and I therefore have no ground for making any representations to the German Government.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYMay I ask whether the Minister has seen the report in today's Press that the German Government intend to carry out a purge of its political opponents, following upon the alleged attempt upon the life of the Chancellor, and will he make some inquiry as to whether there is any truth in those reports?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have already said that I am in frequent communication with our own Ambassador. I would remind my hon. Friend that the question that he put to me by the leave of Mr. Speaker had to do with the security of British lives.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, not whether he will make representations to the German Government, but whether, in view of the statements that are very widespread in the Press to-day, he will ask the British Ambassador in Berlin to give him a report on the subject? The right hon. Gentleman himself has called attention in his answer to the fact that the Press contains a good deal of very alarmist news, and people with relations in Berlin wish to be reassured on the subject.
§ Mr. MICHAEL BEAUMONTBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he will bear in mind the necessity of allowing the Germans to manage their own affairs?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman make known to the German people the feelings of British subjects on this matter?
§ Mr. ALBERYMay I ask whether it is not still quite possible for British 377 people to telephone, telegraph or write letters to Germany, and to get adequate replies?
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I inquire, as to the number of men who are now bearing arms in Germany, and whether the peace treaties that are being infringed—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is going much too far beyond the original question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay we not have an answer from the right hon. Gentleman as to whether he will ask our Ambassador in Berlin to give him a report on the present situation?
§ Sir J. SIMONI was waiting to answer the Leader of the Opposition, but a number of other questions were put to me. It is, of course, part of my duty, and part of the Ambassador's duty, that we should keep ourselves in constant communication. I shall not fail to do my duty in that regard, nor, I am sure, will he.