HC Deb 14 November 1938 vol 341 cc504-6
76. Mr. G. Macdonald

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of children attending secondary schools in the administrative county of Lancashire during each of the last five years, specifying the number of fee-paying children?

Mr. Lindsay

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

present claims for damage, and has requested that the attention of the competent authorities should be drawn to the rights of British residents in Germany.

His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires has also been instructed to address a strong protest to the German Government in regard to recent articles in the German Press, associating former British Ministers and Members of this House with the recent murder of a member of the German Embassy in Paris.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the Prime Minister endeavour to find some means, either alone or in co-operation with other Powers, by which he can make known to the German Government the deep feeling of horror aroused in this country among all sections of the people by the action which has been taken against the Jews?

The Prime Minister

There are many means of that being made known. I do not think there can be any doubt about it.

Colonel Wedgwood

Can we do nothing for the refugees by allowing them to come either into this country or into Palestine?

Mr. Lipson

In view of recent events in Germany, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on the question of calling an urgent and immediate meeting of the committee, which was appointed after the Evian Conference in order to see whether more vigorous and prompt measures could not be taken to find a home for these persecuted Jews?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that is necessary. I think the whole matter is receiving the attention of the committee.

Colonel Wedgwood

Cannot His Majesty's Government show the feeling of this country by attempting to do something for the victims of this oppression in Germany?

The Prime Minister

That is really a question which could not be answered without notice.

Mr. Alexander

In view of the almost unprecedented nature of the action taken by Germany, has the Prime Minister considered the possibility of consultation with the President, or other representatives of the United States of America, with a view to a joint representation being made?

The Prime Minister

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. Lansbury

Would it not be possible to consult with the High Commissioners of the various Dominions of the British Commonwealth as to whether it would be possible to find some place in the British Commonwealth of Nations for these people, considering how relatively few the numbers are in Germany—500,000, I understand, all of them, men, women and children? Is it impossible to say to the world, "Great Britain will take them and find them a place to start afresh in life"?

The Prime Minister

That is not a matter for the British Government, as the right hon. Gentleman realises, but I have no doubt we shall be taking into consideration any possible way by which we can assist these people.

Mr. Maxton

Undoubtedly the question about finding places in the Dominions is not a matter for the British Government, but is there not a vast Colonial Empire in which something definite could be done by the action of the Government here?

The Prime Minister

That is a matter which is under consideration by the International Committee.