HC Deb 29 June 1938 vol 337 cc1875-7
2. Mr. McGovern

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to call a conference of France, America, and certain other countries with a view to adopting a policy of financial and economic boycott of Germany in order to change the policy of ill-treatment and starvation of Jews in that country and Austria?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

His Majesty's Government are unable to accept this suggestion.

Mr. McGovern

Will the hon. Gentleman state any reasonable action that the Government have taken to get some sort of conference with a view to ending this vicious terror that is taking place on helpless minorities in Germany? Is there any reason for the Government's lack of action?

Mr. Butler

The sympathetic attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the Jewish problem in general will be seen by their attitude in participating in the Evian Conference.

25. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received from Germany regarding the position of Jews of British nationality who hold property in Germany or Austria; and, if so, will he communicate the contents to the House?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin has been informed by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs that, in accordance with the first paragraph of the Decree of 26th April regarding the registration of Jewish property, Jews of British nationality are required to register their property situated in Germany, but that the administrative authorities will refrain from enforcing the registration procedure in the case of Jewish property owned by British subjects, provided they are domiciled outside Germany, and are not emigrés of former German nationality The Ministry have also given an assurance that, if the question arises of utilising the property so registered in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Decree, each case will be examined to see whether the rights guaranteed to British subjects under the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty of 1924 are effected.

Mr. Williams

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the terms are consistent with the desires of His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Butler

They are consistent with our desires as far as we can carry them out, under our Treaty obligations and the exigencies of German law.

Mr. Williams

In view of the fact that Germany is supposed to be a friendly nation, are not His Majesty's Government entitled to expect that British subjects should be treated as British subjects?

Mr. Butler

I think it would be wrong to suppose that the answer given is not couched in friendly terms, as the hon. Member will see if he examines it.

Mr. Maxton

Is it not a fact that this is very similar to the case of Mexico; and why the difference of method in the one case as compared with the other?

Mr. Butler

I cannot accept the assertion that the two cases are similar.