HC Deb 22 December 1938 vol 342 cc3081-2
50. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the action of Schenkers, Limited, of 134, Queen Victoria Street, in dismissing certain employés on account of their Jewish faith; and what action he proposes to take to discourage German firms in this country from discriminating amongst their staffs on racial or religious grounds?

Sir S. Hoare

I am much obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for bringing the particulars of this case to my notice. I am causing immediate inquiry to be made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that a useful purpose would be served if British firms and British customers who have relations with German firms were to convey to them an expression of their disapproval of such dismissals as being quite contrary to the spirit of religious toleration in this country?

Sir S. Hoare

I am sure that any reputable British firm would highly disapprove of any action of that kind, and the more that fact can be known, certainly from my point of view the better.

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