HC Deb 09 April 1946 vol 421 cc1802-3
78. Captain Francis Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has investigated conditions in the Rothenburg, Nienburg, Bad Harzburg, Hamburg and other officers' clubs in Germany, about which he received information from the hon. and gallant Member for Brent-ford and Chiswick on 13th March; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Bellenģer

I am assured that the orders issued by B. A. O. R. forbidding the entertainment of Germans in British officers' clubs and messes are being strictly enforced throughout the Command. My hon. and gallant Friend has not sent me the dates of the occurrences referred to in his letter. If he will supply this information I will look into the matter further.

Captain Noel-Baker

While I do not want to describe in detail now what I have already described to my hon. Friend, and one cannot give a particular date about things that have happened, may I ask if an investigation can be made into conditions in general in these clubs?

Mr. Bellenģer

From the investigations we have already made, we feel sure that none of the things the hon. and gallant Member has referred to are happening now. What has happened in the past, I should not like to so sure about.

Sir T. Moore

On a point of Order. Is it in Order to put on the Paper a Question with certain implications or inferences that are not clearly defined?

Mr. Speaker

Questions which pass the Clerks at the Table are sure to be in Order.

Captain Noel-Baker

A previous Question on this subject, the implications of which were quite clear, was put by me on the Paper some weeks ago, and this refers to the same subject.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Proceedings of the Committee of Ways and Means exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).—[The Prime Minister.]