HC Deb 30 March 1933 vol 276 cc1184-5
84. Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will bring the question of Jewish nationalism and the persecution of Jews before the next meeting of the Council of the League of Nations?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

I am advised that there is no Article of the Covenant under which His Majesty's Government could properly bring this matter before the Council of the League of Nations.

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman enable us somehow to express the strong feeling in this country against the bullying in Germany of a helpless minority?

Mr. JANNER

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether His Majesty's Government will consider whether this anti-Jewish policy adopted in Germany is a matter affecting international relations within the sense of Article 11, paragraph 2, of the Covenant of the League of Nations?

Sir J. SIMON

I can assure the hon. Member that the Articles of the Covenant have been carefully considered, and I am confining my answer to the question. In that connection, the reply that I have given is not to be understood as referring to any matter outside the Covenant.

Mr. LANSBURY

In view of the statement on both sides in the Press of persecution of all sorts of people in Germany, might not the British Ambassador in Berlin be asked to give a report on the subject so that some authentic news may be available?

Sir J. SIMON

I am much obliged to the Leader of the Opposition, and what he has suggested is, I think, entirely reasonable. I have not overlooked that point, and I am in communication with the Embassy.