§ 18. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent British military government is responsible in South Schleswig for issuing permits for the existence of particular political organisations; what representations Danes and Germans respectively have made in regard to the future of this area; and why our authorities have prohibited the singing of certain cherished Danish songs.
§ Mr. MayhewUnder the terms of Military Government Ordinance No. 12, any new political party wishing to form anywhere in the British zone must apply for a permit to Military Government. There have been, since the war, frequent diplomatic exchanges between His Majesty's Government and the Danish Government, and His Majesty's Government have received a number of petitions from Germans in South Schleswig.
As part of their annual festival the South Schleswig Association proposed printing a brochure containing a number of Danish and South Schleswig songs. When this proposal was submitted in the normal manner three of the songs were deleted as being nationalistic and calculated to cause trouble. On representation by the Association that the songs in question had been sung in South Schleswig for centuries the ban was lifted immediately.
§ Mr. SorensenWhilst expressing appreciation for the last part of the reply, may I ask the Under-Secretary whether, in view of the tension which unfortunately exists between the Danish and German 1815 democratic organisations, everything is being done to promote greater appreciation and understanding between these two bodies.
§ Mr. MayhewYes, we are doing what we can. It is a long story and I should need a Question to be put down for a full answer.
§ Professor SavoryDoes not the Under-Secretary appreciate the anxiety of these Danish people of South Schleswig because of the danger of being swamped by the immense influx of Germans coming in from other zones?
§ Mr. MayhewIt is a very complicated question and I would rather have notice of it.