SOUTH SCHLESWIG

HC Deb 19 January 1949 vol 460 cc142-5

14. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the many recent cases of actions taken by Germans against Danes in South Schleswig and in particular of the dismissal of several members of the Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft, living at Pris and Frederiksort, on account of their membership of the Danish Association; and what action he proposes to take to protect the Danish speaking inhabitants of South Schleswig against intimidation.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

The German firm in question is the successor of a demilitarised firm which formerly employed 229 persons. When de-militarisation and demolitions were completed, 50 employees became redundant, of whom only two were members of the South Schleswig Association.

The Managing Director of the successor firm has given an assurance that no political discrimination was exercised in the retention or dismissal of employees and his statement appears to be supported by the figures I have given.

Professor Savory

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have here numerous other cases of threats of dismissal against these people if they do not resign their membership of the South Schleswig Association; and does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that from Kiel, in Holstein, this intimidation has been carried out against these inhabitants of South Schleswig?

Mr. McNeil

I know that the hon. Gentleman has submitted some details. As my other replies will disclose, however, in all suggestions except one our inquiries did not bear out the submissions.

15. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Theodor Henningsen, a railway official on pension at Lindaa, South Schleswig, has received notification that, if he and his wife do not resign their membership of the Danish Association, his pension will be withdrawn altogether; and whether he has made a protest to the German local authorities against the persecution of the Danish speaking inhabitants.

Mr. McNeil

No such notification has been given to this man. I am, however, informed that he was told privately by a railway employee that, in the latter's personal opinion, German officials who had joined the South Schleswig Association might find themselves in an awkward position when the occupation ended.

Professor Savory

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these attempts at intimidation are widespread and that it is impossible to deny them because the evidence is overwhelming? Why did His Majesty's Government allow this situation to arise, allow the admission of 300,000 Germans into that country and give them the vote so that they could control almost all the municipalities—men who had nothing whatever to do with Schleswig, who had never been in Schleswig in their lives; why were they given the vote and allowed to swamp the native population?

16. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Walther Lawætz, for 12 years an official in municipal service in Egernforde, South Schleswig, was dismissed by the Germans because of his membership of the Danish Association; that Mr. Johannesen, an official in municipal service at Osterhever, South Schleswig, has been threatened with dismissal if he does not resign his membership of the Danish Association, and that Fr. Peters, employed in municipal service at Velt, South Schleswig, has also received notice of immediate dismissal if he does not resign his membership of the Danish Association, and whether Great Britain, as the occupying authority, will take action to protect the interests of the native Danish inhabitants of South Schleswig.

Mr. McNeil

As the answer is long and detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Investigations carried out in Germany indicate that the facts in these three cases are as follow:

1. Lawœtz.

Arising from the currency reform in the Western zones, the local government (Kreis) authorities in Eckenforde felt it necessary to serve notice of dismissal on about 40 of their employees. Lawætz who has been employed by these authorities for 3½ years was included in this number and has received six months' notice of dismissal expiring on 31st March, 1949. Only two other members of the South Schleswig Association are included in the list of those who have received notice. There is no evidence to suggest any political motive behind these dismissals, and the local authorities have given an assurance that membership of the South Schleswig Association in no way affected their decision. The small proportion of South Schleswig Association members included in the total number due for dismissal tends to support this assurance.

2. Johannesen.

This man is employed as a foreman-labourer by the local authority in Osterhever. One of the labourers reported to the Technical Manager that the other workers wished Johannesen to be dismissed because they disapproved of his belonging to a pro-Danish organisation while being paid by German authorities. The Manager stated that dismissal on these grounds was not warranted. He later informed Johannesen of the request of his fellow workers but stressed that there would be no question of dismissal. This fact is confirmed by Johannesen himself.

3. Peters.

This man is employed as a Messenger by the local authority (Gemeinde) of Welt. It is clear that he resigned from the South Schleswig Association because of an intimation from the local Council that he would be dismissed if he did not resign his membership of the Association. Investigations are being made to determine whether there is a case for prosecution or other action against the individual who authorised this ultimatum.