HC Deb 14 November 1951 vol 493 cc972-3
41. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an international rally has been arranged to be held in West Germany next spring of over 100,000 ex-members of Hitler's black-uniformed SS Guards; what information he has as to the purpose of this rally; and what action he proposes to take in the matter under his powers to prevent the re-emergence of Nazism.

Mr. Nutting

It was announced at a recent meeting of the Mutual Assistance Society of the former Waffen SS that a rally of ex-members of the SS "Viking" Division, which consisted largely of Nazi collaborators from the occupied territories, would be held in Western Ger many next spring. It had previously been urged at this meeting that all former members of the SS in Europe should reassociate.

His Majesty's Government are strongly opposed to all manifestations of the Nazi spirit, and the activities of this and similar societies are carefully watched by the Allied High Commission, in consultation with the German Federal Government. I am glad to be able to gay that the latter have already taken steps to ensure that German visas shall be denied to intending participants in the rally from abroad.

Mr. Freeman

May I ask if it is not also true that the secret meeting was recently held in Hanover to make preliminary arrangement for this rally? Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House he will not allow any sinister or ulterior motive to develop as a result of it.

Mr. Nutting

I think the action taken by the German federal authorities to deny entrance to intended participants from abroad gives reason to hope that if by next summer they have assumed full powers for order in Western Germany— as we hope they will—they will take adequate steps to deal with all intending participants in this demonstration.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Arising out of that last answer, can my hon. Friend say whether the Government in Western Germany have powers to step the wearing of semi-military uniforms by these thugs, thereby stopping them from assembling, and breaking up the Nazi spirit which many of us in this House fear very greatly is growing in Germany?

Mr. Nutting

I cannot tell the hon. Member exactly what powers the German Federal Government have at this particular moment. I should like notice of that question.