HC Deb 18 April 1934 vol 288 cc943-4
7. Sir CHARLES CAYZER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the speech made recently by Herr Anton Scherer, a deputy leader of the Nazi party, at Dillingen, Saar, to the effect that after the plebiscite in 1935 the Nazi party will take exemplary vengeance for 24 hours throughout the Saar territory; and whether he proposes to enquire further into the matter?

Sir J. SIMON

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would supply me with the report on which this question is based, which I have not been able to trace. I will then consider the matter, but I must point out that this class of question is entirely within the competence of the Saar Governing Commission to deal with.

Mr. MANDER

But is not the Saar Commission under the control of the League of Nations, and are we not therefore to some extent responsible?

Sir J. SIMON

Neither is the League of Nations responsible for questions directed to His Majesty's Government.

Mr. MANDER

Are not His Majesty's Government represented on the Council of the Leagued

Sir J. SIMON

The hon. Member can surely appreciate the distinction between a question inviting His Majesty's Government as such to take particular action, and a question whether the League of Nations should take action.

Sir C. CAYZER

In view of this country's responsibility for the administration of the Saar territory as members of the League, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the character of the statement in that speech when the question of the future regime of the Saar comes up for consideration next year?

Sir J. SIMON

I would remind my hon. Friend that I invited him in my original answer to supply me with his source of information.