§ 48. Mr. William Wellsasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has any information to give the House respecting recent disorders in Hamburg.
§ Mr. J. HyndSo far as I am aware there have been only two incidents. On 27th June, 50 German women had arranged to meet outside the town hall so that six of their number could present a petition to the German burgomaster against the requisitioning of premises for British personnel without the provision of similar alternative accommodation. This incident was seized upon by rowdy elements and a crowd of two to three thousand persons collected outside the town hall. The crowd was quickly and peacefully dispersed by the German police assisted by British military police; some 20 persons were arrested. The Commander-in-Chief issued a warning and the incident seems closed. On 17th July, there was a much smaller demonstration by some 300 workers against alleged bad food. This was quickly dispersed and the ringleader arrested.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownIs the Minister fully satisfied that the conditions existing in Hamburg generally at the moment, to which the question refers, are such that it is prudent and expeditious to send the families of men there at the present time?
§ Mr. HyndI think that, taking all the factors into consideration, there is no alternative to allowing our staff over there to have their families with them, and that the conditions are such as to enable that to be possible. The incident to which reference is made in the Question, was something which arose through a misunderstanding as to the operation of that scheme. It was comparatively peaceful and was dispersed without even the police having to draw their truncheons. The observations and the pronouncements made upon it by the German Press and the leaders of the German political parties have endorsed that fact.
§ Mr. BrownSome of us have seen these conditions in Hamburg, and would the Government not consider that a proper 1868 angle of approach to this question of maintaining contact between the officers in Germany and their families at home is rather to be found in giving adequate leave at reasonable times rather than sending the wives and families to Germany?
§ Mr. HyndI can assure the hon. Member that these considerations have been very closely examined by the Government. The fact is that we do require to retain a considerable number of people in Germany of the right quality as far as they can be obtainable, and it is quite impossible to keep them separated from their families for long periods.