§ 14. Mr. Ian Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of the World German Brotherhood Movement, which aims at a recrudescence of German militarism; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden)I have no information of any body of this precise title, but if my hon. Friend is referring to the organisation known as the Bruder-schaft, I can assure him that its activities are being closely observed. According to my information, it does not now present a serious threat of reviving German militarism.
§ Mr. HarveyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that previous experiences have made many Members of the House very reluctant to condone German rearmament, and that this sort of development increases that reluctance?
§ Mr. EdenThe reluctance is not limited to my hon. Friend or to any one part of the House. As regards this particular 379 organisation, which is what my hon. Friend asked me about, I am informed that it was split into two wings in January, 1951, since when it has lost all its original impetus. I hope that that process may continue.
§ Mr. Eric FletcherWill the Foreign Secretary explain how, under the new arrangements he is contemplating with Western Germany, he can have any reasonable hope of preventing a recrudescence of German militarism?
§ Mr. EdenThat would be an interesting topic for debate and on which at present I would only say that I believe that if we do our best to draw Germany into unity with the West, we shall he doing what lies in our power to prevent a recurrence of two world wars.