§ 17. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if General Sir Brian Robertson, British Military Governor in Germany, consulted him before making his speech at the Landtag, Provisional Parliament, of North Rhine-Westphalia on 7th April.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Foreign Secretary aware that on the same day on which this speech was made, he deprecated in this House speeches by generals, and is he aware that this speech by this General was made on the assumption that Protocol "M" was genuine and not a forgery?
§ Mr. BevinI did not deprecate speeches by generals. I was asked a question with regard to a speech alleged to have been made by the C.I.G.S. and whether I accepted responsibility on behalf of His Majesty's Government for our occupation of Germany. I said that the control of this business was in the hands of the civil Government here. I adhere to that. That 951 was the answer. With regard to the speech made by General Robertson, I approve that speech. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] He is the Military Governor, and I think he was quite right in what he said.
Mr. Wilson HarrisDid not General Sir Brian Robertson make almost as good a speech as the right hon. Gentleman himself would have done, and has it not made a most admirable impression throughout Germany?
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that the previous day the Foreign Secretary said that it was not for the military to decide policy, but for the civil authorities, why was that speech not made in this House instead of being made by a military officer in Germany?
§ Mr. BevinIt was not made by General Robertson as a General. He is the military Governor under the Military Government of Germany and it was—
§ Mr. GallacherIt was British policy.
§ Mr. BevinJust possess your soul in patience if you cannot keep your tongue still. The speech was approved by His Majesty's Government, and General Robertson, in that case, in Germany, to Germans, was our mouthpiece.