§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether British ex-officers are being recruited as police officers for the Saar; if so, on whose responsibility this recruitment is taking place; and whether it is being done with the sanction of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe position is that, acting under a Resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Nations on the 4th June last, the Secretary-General of the League recommended the members of the League on the 3rd September to facilitate the task of the Saar Governing Commission in recruiting additional personnel outside the Saar for its police forces during the plebiscite period. In response to this recommendation a number of applications for employment which were received from ex-officers were forwarded to the Saar Governing Commission, after preliminary enquiry on certain practical points, such as previous police experience and ability to speak German and French: the intention being to eliminate useless applications.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask whether the statement that has appeared in the Press is correct, namely, that recruitment is being made through the Foreign Office and the War Office? That was the information we gave in putting the Question. What I want to get at is whether the statement that has appeared in the Press to-day, that recruitment is being carried on secretly and that other Governments are not taking part in it, is correct; and also whether the right hon. Gentleman can tell us the total number asked for by Mr. Knox and how many of that number we, the British Government, are expected to recruit?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry but I have not seen the statement, except in a casual way and at the last minute, published in the Press to which 1522 the right hon. Gentleman refers. I believe it was sent to the Foreign Office, but I was only able to have a glance at it. The statement that recruitment is being secretly conducted by either the Foreign Office—I want to make it comprehensive—or the War Office, or both, is absolutely untrue. The figures which have been given to me to-day show that out of about 20 ex-officers recruited only two are of British nationality; the others come from other countries. It is not true to say that no other country is helping. The help we are giving is limited strictly to the conditions explained by me in my answer.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESMay I ask whether we are to take it that Britain is invited to make a contribution to a certain quota and that other nations will make a similar quota; further, whether in the absence of a response from other countries to this force we would also withdraw our quota?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am much obliged to the hon. Member for putting that question. There is no question of a quota at all. The recruitment is not up to a certain number and it is not the case that if that number is not provided in a general and voluntary way, then we are under obligation to provide up to a quota of that number. That is not the case. This is purely free recruitment. The Saar Commission requires a police force to help during the time of the plebiscite, during the last stages of the preparation of the plebiscite and while it is being taken—a purely police force—and it is known generally all over Europe that ex-officers with certain qualifications may apply for employment in that force.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAre we to understand that the British Government will have no responsibility in this matter; that this is something in the nature of a contract between the person who volunteers and the Saar Commission? We as a nation are not responsible in any way for the conduct of these men or the duties they have to carry out?
§ Mr. DIXEYCan we take it that there is no official recognition whatsoever by His Majesty's Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe expression "official recognition" is somewhat vague, and I do not want to answer questions of detail. The right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition has 1523 put a perfectly specific question. We have no responsibility; and there it stands. If anything should happen to these men it is not our responsibility one way or the other. We are simply facilitating as members of the League of Nations a contact between those who want employment and those who are Asking for applicants for employment.
§ Sir A. KNOXAre we to understand that the Socialist party are against recruiting in England for a police force to preserve law and order?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am making no suggestion, I am asking for information, and I think the House is entitled to information in view of the statement which has appeared in the public Press.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that the Socialist party are opposed to this small application of the principle of pooled security?