HC Deb 18 October 1945 vol 414 cc1348-9
14. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, where is the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party of Germany; what are the names and nationalities of the members of the executive committee; how many of them were interned in this country during, the war; how many have been released and on what conditions; and whether there is any reason why these people should not now return to Germany.

Mr. Ede

The headquarters of The London Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party of Germany is at 33, Fernside Avenue, Mill Hill, N.W.7. The members of this Committee are understood to be Erich Ollenhauer, Friedrich Heine and Wilhelm Sander, all of German nationality. Of these three, the only one who was in this country at the time of general internment was exempted from internment in view of his long history of opposition to the Nazi system and friendliness towards the cause of the United Nations. There is no reason why all three should not return to Germany in due course, if they so desire but I know of no reason why they should be required to return immediately.

Major Beamish

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these people will serve a more useful purpose by putting anti-Nazi, democratic theories into practice inside Germany, than by writing "high falutin" articles in the "Left News"?

Mr. Ede

That again is a matter of opinion.