§ 39. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds he has given permission for the establishment at Hanover of an association of Germans from each department of what was previously Eastern Germany; and how were the representatives of the areas concerned chosen to serve on the body set up.
Mr. McNeilThe association to which my hon. Friend refers appears to be concerned principally with the problem of representing the interests of German refugees now in Western Germany, but previously resident in the former German territories. A meeting of this organisation was held at Hanover on 6th November which was attended by delegates chosen by the refugees themselves.
The responsibility for the licensing and control of all German refugee associations in the British zone was handed over to the Land Governments in June, 1948, subject to the over-riding power of the Military Governor to intervene should the association indulge in political agitation.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeDoes my right hon. Friend not think it the height of unwisdom to allow an organisation like this to be established, in view of the fact that it is almost entirely nationalistically inspired, and that the personnel comprising it are people who, all along down the years, have been associated with the nationalist and Nazi movements in Germany?
§ Mr. John HyndBefore my right hon. Friend replies, may I ask him if it is not time now to recognise that these people have already suffered sufficiently, and at least should be permitted to be able to represent their views?
Mr. McNeilI think it proper and just that their proper interests should still be safeguarded. If my hon. Friend has 25 any evidence of political agitation, my right hon. Friend, of course, will be more than glad to examine it.
§ Mr. BramallWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the sharp distinction between those people representing their very real grievances and wishing to consider their own problems inside Germany as it is today, and those who wish to carry on revisionist propaganda which, as I understand it, is the object of many of these associations?