§ 65. Major NALLasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Captain Laderer, ex-Austrian Consul in Manchester, left this country a few days previous to the declaration of war between Britain and Germany; whether Theodore Schlagenweit thereupon visited Ports-mouth and other places on the South Coast on Laderer's behalf, issuing money and instructions to Austrian reservists, and whether Laderer, having escaped internment, is now to be allowed to resume residence in this country?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. There is no information, so far as I can ascertain, in the possession of the authorities to the effect suggested in the second paragraph The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.
§ Major NALLIs it a fact that this man is back in this country?
§ Mr. SHORTTWhich man?
§ Major NALLThe ex-Austrian consul.
§ Mr. SHORTTHe was allowed here for a short time in a very limited area for business purposes.
§ Major NALLAre we to understand that he has now left the country?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes.
§ 66. Major NALLasked the Home Secretary why Theodore Schlagenweit, who was interned in 1914, was repatriated to Germany during hostilities; whether he is aware that on 5th August, 1914, this man visited ships in the Manchester docks and lodging houses in that city, after which the German crews of certain vessels mysteriously disappeared; whether the whole record of this man's activities was laid before the Home Office before he was repatriated; and why this information was ignored?
§ Mr. SHORTTThis man was repatriated in 1915 as one of a party of German consular officials who were exchanged for an equivalent number of British officials and other civilians detained in Germany. The facts of the case were well known when the Foreign Office and War Office arranged the exchange; but I have no corroboration of the particular allegations contained in the question; and, even if true, they would not have afforded sufficient ground for refusing an exchange which it was in the interest of this country to carry out.
§ Major NALLIs it not a fact that a great deal of information on this matter was forwarded to the Home Office in 1914 by an Alderman of the City of Manchester, and is it not a fact that that information was totally ignored?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have not been able to ascertain that.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHas the right hon. Gentleman investigated the case I sent to him 10 days ago as to the knowledge possessed by a brother of this man, who was in the German Army, as to the movements of the Manchester Regiment? Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the witness to whom I referred?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have not seen him personally.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs this is a very serious allegation, is it being attended to?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have no doubt it is being attended to.