HC Deb 10 April 1933 vol 276 cc2167-8
22. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the case of Mr. Geoffrey Fraser, a British subject, who was arrested in Berlin on 4th April by Nazi auxiliary police; whether Mr. Fraser is still under arrest; whether any charge has been formulated against him; whether the British ambassador in Berlin has been allowed to see him; and what action the British Government is taking in the matter?

24. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can as yet state the charges made against the two Englishmen arrested in Germany?

Sir J. SIMON

My information is that Mr. Fraser was arrested under the instructions of the police authorities, by regular police officers, and that, as was stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee) on Tuesday last, he has been detained in the police headquarters in the Alexanderplatz. The police authorities have informed His Majesty's Consul in Berlin that Mr. Fraser is charged with having committed acts in preparation for high treason; and that he is to be transferred to the Moabit prison to await his trial. His Majesty's Ambassador has requested the German Minister for Foreign Affairs to furnish him at an early date with more precise information regarding the charge against Mr. Fraser. As regards Mr. Catchpool, he was released on the day following his arrest. I do not understand that any charge has been brought against him.

Mr. COCKS

Will the Foreign Secretary make a protest to the German Government against making these frivolous and fantastic accusations against a British subject?

Sir J. SIMON

I am not in a position to say whether the charges are fantastic.

Mr. COCKS

Is the right hon. Gentleman content to make polite inquiries and not take any further action in the matter?

Sir J. SIMON

I hope that I have taken the action the House would wish me to take.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember, in any representations which he is making about the persecution of Jews in Germany, that the persecution of Liberals is just as bad and far less vocally represented?

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