HC Deb 25 June 1947 vol 439 cc407-10
3. Mr. Niall Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is his policy in regard to the return of Germans to Tanganyika.

Mr. Creech Jones

Of the former German residents of Tanganyika Territory who were interned in Southern Rhodesia, those who have shown no Nazi or hostile sympathies and who are desirable residents of the Territory in other respects have been allowed to return to Tanganyika. The remainder have either gained admission to other territories or have been, or are being, repatriated to Germany.

Mr. Macpherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling in Tanganyika about this, especially in so far as the settlers are concerned? Could he indicate what special measures he is taking in regard to the return of these Germans?

Mr. Creech Jones

Yes, there are several Questions today, the answers to which I hope to give a little later.

Mr. Gammans

Can the Secretary of State say how many Germans have been allowed to return or are to be allowed to return, and whether, if and when they do, they will be given full rights, including the right to hold land?

Mr. Creech Jones

There is a Question on that matter that I shall answer in a few minutes.

4. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many German settlers have so far been authorised to return to their prewar holdings in Tanganyika, and how many to resume their prewar professional, commercial and industrial occupations, respectively.

Mr. Creech Jones

A total of 100 Germans formerly interned in Southern Rhodesia have been allowed to return to Tanganyika. They comprise 49 heads of families—35 men and 14 women—of whom 18 are settlers, three are members of the medical or nursing professions, 19 were formerly engaged in commerce or industry, and nine are returning to live with relations or friends. The position with regard to the settlers is explained in my reply to Question No. 11. Corresponding figures for Germans who were not sent to Southern Rhodesia but remained in Tanganyika during the war are being obtained, and I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Macpherson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the Germans who have been repatriated are at present living in hotels without exercising any profession or business? Can he give the House an assurance that the Germans will not be allowed to come in unless they have some means of support?

Mr. Creech Jones

Many of the Germans concerned, do, of course, belong, by their long settlement in Tanganyika, to that part of East Africa. They are not returning to their farms though they were settlers, and this question of their future settlement and the positions that they will occupy is now receiving the immediate consideration of the local Government.

11. Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that British citizens who have been leased estates in Tanganyika, previously held by Germans, will not be ejected in favour of returning Germans, and that alternative properties will be offered to the latter; that, if for any reason any British citizen is required to leave such an estate in favour of a returning German, he shall be paid full compensation for any money spent in improving the properties; and that any Germans who have property re-vested will not benefit by the work put into the estates by the present lessees of such ex-enemy properties.

Mr. Creech Jones

No lessee of an estate in Tanganyika which was formerly held by a German national will be ejected in favour of the former owner during the currency of his lease. The question of the arrangements which will be applied when the present leases expire is being examined by the Tanganyika Government and consideration will be given to all the points to which the hon. Member has drawn attention.

Squadron-Leader Donner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first part of his answer will give great satisfaction because quite recently a German arrived at a local station and telephoned the British officer at 6.15 in the morning and expected immediate reinstatement?

12. Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the protests of the British Legion in Tanganyika, as well as the bewilderment of African ex-Servicemen, he will give an assurance that no more Germans, other than the 47 families already permitted to return, will be allowed to re-settle in the territory.

Mr. Creech Jones

1t is not the intention of the Tanganyika Government that former German residents in Tanganyika should be allowed to return to the territory, apart from the 49 families who have already been given permission to do so.