HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 cc1212-3
47. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why elderly Germans who hold pacifist and anti-militant opinions, many of whom have spent several years in concentration camps, are not given facilities for educational and journalistic work; and why Germans holding those convictions are considered by British authorities in Germany to be questionable persons who should not be encouraged.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)

I am not aware of any discrimination against such Germans in the British zone, but if my hon. Friend can give me particulars of any instances where facilities have been denied, I will have inquiries made.

Mr. Sorensen

May I take it, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will take action to assist these people, whose integrity is unquestioned and whose sincerity has been well guaranteed by experience, to do what they can to influence their German compatriots in the same direction as the views they hold themselves?

Mr. Hynd

In the matter of educational and journalistic work, the question would not be whether they held or did not hold pacifist views, but what their qualifications were for that particular class of work.

Major Lloyd

Is it not possible that the Germans might think of these people in the same way as the vast majority of the people of this country do?

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