§ 26. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet taken any action in connection with the French Legion and other troops; whether such members of the Legion as decide to continue to fight for us under British officers will be given the option of taking up British citizenship, as in the case of the French Navy; and what action he proposes to take in connection with Major Ruding Bryan?
§ Mr. EdenGeneral de Gaulle has been officially recognised, and French troops are being organised under his command. As was stated by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in reply to a Question on 4th July last, it has been declded in principle to afford special facilities for naturalisation to French citizens who continue to support the Allied cause, and this would, of course, apply to any who might serve under British officers. As regards the last part of the Question, I am informed that the officer mentioned has rendered good 1066 service in a difficult position, and has earned the thanks of the French authorities concerned.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the report that I made to the Under-Secretary about this officer, and about the affairs of the camp in question? Is he seeing that the promise to hold an inquiry is carried out?
§ Mr. EdenI did not know about that. I have heard that this officer has been specially asked by the Foreign Legion where he was situated to stay there, because they get on so well with him.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this officer has been persuading the troops to go back to France, that he is a Fascist, that he is refusing to allow the circulation of the speeches of the Prime Minister and of the terms of the Armistice signed by the French Government, and that he has obviously destroyed our chance of getting over 10,000 men into the British Army? Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?
§ Mr. EdenOf course, I will. But I think it hardly likely that this man would have been thanked by the French officers, and particularly by the Commander of the French Foreign Legion, if that had been the position.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, after trying to see him, I was asked to see the Under-Secretary, that I gave the whole facts to the Under-Secretary, that he promised that an inquiry would be held, and that nothing further has been done about it?
§ Mr. EdenI apologise; I did not know that. But I am quite sure that if my hon. Friend promised an inquiry, an inquiry is taking place. As soon as I receive the results I will communicate with the right hon. and gallant Gentleman.