HC Deb 15 March 1937 vol 321 cc1625-6
33. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Ambassador at Berlin has reported to the Foreign Office about the confiscation, on 10th March last, of a number of newspapers in Berlin, including the "Times," "Daily Telegraph," "Morning Post," and Evening Standard "; whether he is aware that the London "Star" and the "Banker" were banned in Germany some weeks ago; and whether he intends to protest to the German Ambassador in London about the matter?

Viscount Cranborne

I have no information on this subject beyond what has appeared in the Press.

Mr. Bellenger

What happens to these newspapers when they are confiscated; and is anybody compensated?

Mr. Thorne

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to tell the House that he has no information about this question except what appears in the Press; and should it not be the duty of the German Ambassador—

Mr. Speaker

I fancy the hon. Member would have said so if he had the information.

Mr. Thorne

Has the German Ambassador brought any chloroform over with him?

36. Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the German Government to permit the sale of the "Times" of Tuesday last; whether there are any German publications which His Majesty's Government will not allow on sale in England; and what steps His Majesty's Government will take to prevent a recurrence of these conditions?

Viscount Cranborne

I have no information on this subject beyond what has appeared in the Press. The answer to the second part of the question is, No, Sir.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is there any chance of compensation for those who lose money in those circumstances?

Viscount Cranborne

That is a different point. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member would put it down.

Mr. Attlee

Is there not something very defective in the intelligence service of the Government? They seem to know nothing whatever about anything.

Viscount Cranborne

These matters are reported to the Government when the Ambassador thinks it proper to do so, but may I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it is very doubtful whether, in this case, any action could be taken on a matter which is primarily an internal affair of the country concerned.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Under-Secretary aware that every German boat which comes in brings a mass of leaflets; and will he not ban those?