§ 3. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the Governing Commission of the Saar territory to ensure that peace and order shall be therein maintained, in view of the recent instances in which the German police have been involved?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs the answer is long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of a statement issued by the Governing Commission on the 5th May.
§ Following is the summary of the statement:
§ The Governing Commission has recently remarked the introduction among the population of the Saar Basin of disturbing influences which have led to numerous excesses—some of a grave character. In the period from 1st April to 3rd May 258 persons have been charged with offences of a political origin, including 112 with acts of violence and wounding and 38 with illegal carrying or use of weapons. At the same time constant pressure, sometimes accompanied by threats, is being exercised against the liberty, political and confessional, of the individual.
§ The Governing Commission have now presented to the Consultative Chamber three draft ordinances for the maintenance of public order. These empower the Governing Commission to forbid or to dissolve political meetings and associations and to prohibit the wearing of distinctive uniform or badges by the latter; also, to suspend for a period up to two months newspapers which incite to disobedience of the law, bring into contempt administrative organs or higher officials of the Governing Commission, bring into contempt a religion or its ceremonies or usages, or otherwise endanger the maintenance of public security. Premises from which acts of violence are committed or where members of forbidden associations assemble may be closed and persons taken in the act of a crime committed by means of a weapon may be placed under protective arrest. Provision is made to ensure respect for the right of individuals to exercise their religion without being exposed to threats or defamation and to enjoy the free usage 1521 of the political rights granted by the Treaty of Versailles. Powers are further granted for the speeding up of judicial procedure in the case of crimes and offences of a political nature, for the Governing Commission to take temporarily into its own hands police powers in the Communes and, in cases of grave breaches of duty, to dismiss without previous disciplinary procedure, but subject to the right of appeal, police constables and gendarmes.