HC Deb 16 April 1940 vol 359 cc798-9
70 and 71. Mr. Dingle Foot

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he has any further statement to make regarding the position of Iceland, Greenland and the Faröe Islands;

(2) whether he has any information as to whether the local Parliament of the Faröe Islands has yet considered the situation created by the German occupation of Denmark; and whether it has expressed any opinion thereon?

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

On 10th April the Icelandic Parliament passed two resolutions transferring to the Icelandic Government for the time being all functions previously exercised by the King of Denmark under the Icelandic Constitution and by the Danish Government under the Act of Union. On 10th April the Governor of the Faröe Islands, in reply to a communication from His Majesty's Government, agreed under present circumstances to grant such facilities as His Majesty's Government might require to prevent German forces from establishing themselves in the Faröe Islands. A British force has been landed. I have no statement to make at present about Greenland.

72. Mr. Foot

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government with regard to the whaling station on the island of Suderoe in the Faröe Islands; and whether, at the time of the German invasion of Denmark, German nationals were still taking any part in the management or control of this enterprise?

Mr. Butler

According to my Noble Friend's information, the whaling station at Suderoy in the Faröe Islands was not in any way under German control or influence at the time of the German invasion of Denmark.