§ 51 and 60. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, before handing over the Island of Heligoland to the German authorities, he will ask for an assurance that the Anglo-German Agreement of 1890, under which native laws and customs should be undisturbed, shall be carried out and that the clause in the Treaty of Versailles, in accordance with which no fortifications were to be erected on the island, shall be adhered to:
(2) whether, before handing over the island of Heligoland to the German authorities, he will ask for an assurance that Article 12, Subsection 6, of the Anglo-German Agreement, 1890, guaranteeing the rights to property of private persons and corporations, shall be carried out, and also that Subsection 7, ensuring the rights of British fishermen to anchorage in all weathers, to the sale of fish, and the landing and drying of nets, shall be adhered to.
§ Mr. YoungerThe Anglo-German Agreement of 1890 was not revived after the 1914–18 war and is, therefore, no longer in force. As far as fortifications are concerned, the hon. Member will no doubt be aware that the Occupying 998 Powers have prohibited them under direct Allied demilitarisation legislation which applies to Heligoland as to the rest of the Federal territory. No question of obtaining assurances from the German Federal Government therefore arises at present.
§ Professor SavoryWould it not be possible, before handing over the Island on 1st March next year, to secure at least that the Frisian language shall be maintained, because that is the matter to which the natives attach by far the greatest importance? The Frisian language should be taught in their schools, and the teaching of the various subjects should be given in that language.
§ Mr. YoungerI am sure that the authorities will take note of that, and I, of course, will always be glad to receive any representations from the hon. Member; but so far as the agreement ensuring these rights is concerned, I am afraid that that no longer applies.