§ 3. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has ascertained the reasons why Mr. Panter was asked to leave Germany; whether any compensation is to be paid; and if assurances have been obtained that British journalists in Germany will in future be free to report what they see?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs regards the first part of the question the reasons for which Mr. Panter was asked to leave Germany were, according to the semi-official Press communique issued in Berlin, that he had carried out his journalistic activities in a manner which rendered his continued presence in Germany undesirable. As regards the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative. As regards the third part of the question, I trust that British journalists in Germany will in future be free to carry on the exercise of their profession.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman really believe that Mr. Panter was carrying out his duties improperly, and is he going to allow a British journalist to be removed from a country without apology and without any definite charge? Is he not going to take some further action in the matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONI shall be glad to confer with my hon. Friend as to the form of action he suggests.