§ 6. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent improvements have taken place in Germany in respect of paternity allegations against British subjects, both military and civil; whether the women involved can now take action before a competent court; and to what extent illegitimate children of British fathers and German mothers are now the responsibility of the German authorities.
§ Mr. MayhewIt is now open to the German courts to hear affiliation proceedings brought against British subjects who are in Germany in a private capacity; it is not, however, at present possible for a German woman to bring proceedings against a member of the Forces or of the Control Commission. As regards my hon. Friend's last point, illegitimate children of German women, being of German nationality, are a German responsibility.
§ Mr. SorensenBut does my hon. Friend realise that we have a certain moral responsibility as well and, seeing that the matter has been brought up several times in the last two years, cannot he take some steps towards recognising and implementing the responsibility of British fathers in this respect?
§ Mr. MayhewIt is under consideration whether certain cases of this kind can be considered by Control Commission courts. I would, however, point out that my hon. Friend is asking something for German women which was not granted to British women in similar circumstances during the war.
§ Mr. SorensenAre not the circumstances really quite different?