§ 22. Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information of the arrest of Walter Spielmann, a British subject by birth, at Offenbach, near Frankfurt, and his sentence of 2½ years' imprisonment for having made contemptuous remarks about conditions in Nazi Germany; and whether he can make a statement on the matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes, Sir. But according to my information Mr. Spielmann possesses German as well as British nationality and in these circumstances, in accordance with general principles, he is not entitled, in Germany, to the protection of His Majesty's Government. I am not therefore in a position to intervene.
§ Mr. G. NICHOLSONDid he apply for the protection of His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONI cannot say, but it is a very well known rule of international law, as would be inferred from my answer.