HC Deb 08 March 1939 vol 344 cc2113-4
4. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the arrest on 3rd March in Danzig of two British journalists; and the reason why large numbers of Jews are being expelled from the Free City?

Mr. Butler

My Noble Friend has no official confirmation of the Press reports of the arrest of two British journalists in Danzig. As regards the second part of the question, there is reason to believe that the party of Jewish emigrants who recently left the Free City departed on their own initiative, and that there was no question of expulsion.

Mr. Mander

Is not the right hon. Gentleman sufficiently interested in the arrest of British journalists to make inquiries as to what has happened to them?

Mr. Butler

I have no confirmation of the report to which the hon. Member has referred.

Mr. Mander

Have you made inquiries?

Mr. Butler

I am always, as the hon. Member knows, informed of these matters, and I have no confirmation of the report to which he refers.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

In the light of the circumstances which we know to exist in Danzig, does the right hon. Gentleman persist in the statement that these Jews leave of their own free will?

M. Butler

There were most regrettable reasons in the shape of the violation of the constitution to which I have referred in answer to questions, but the actual act of leaving was taken by the Jews on their own initiative.

Mr. Mander

Have the Government received any report from the High Commissioner on this subject; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first contingent of 500 left on 3rd March?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

When the prisoner jumps off the plank of the pirate ship, is the act of leaving on his own initiative?

Mr. Butler

The question of Danzig is not so simple as that, and we regret that these Jews have taken a sudden decision to leave.

Mr. Benn

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know perfectly well from official reports from Danzig that the Jews are under constant pressure every time to leave the Free City?