HC Deb 10 November 1952 vol 507 cc587-9
44. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Federal Republic at Bonn to prevent the formation of Nazi organisations and the propagating of Nazi doctrines.

39. Mr. Elwyn Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the findings of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremburg that the S.S., including the Waffen S.S., was a criminal organisation, representations will be made to the Government of the Federal Republic at Bonn protesting against the re-forming of S.S. groups and against meetings of such S.S. groups in particular in the British zone.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer the hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. King) on 30th October and to his statement on this subject in the debate on the Address on 6th November.

Mr. Janner

Would the hon. Gentleman keep a very vigilant eye on this matter, particularly in view of the fact that he knows, as does everybody in the House, what was the result of similar action before the war, and what tragic consequences resulted? Will he constantly make representations to the Bonn Government to see that this kind of organisation is suppressed and point out that we regard them as criminal organisations?

Mr. Nutting

I really think that the Federal German Government have given full earnest of their desire and intentions to prohibit Nazi organisations from reemerging in Germany. As the hon. Member will recall, they took action only recently through the courts to have the S.R.P., the Socialist Reich Party of General Remer, suppressed.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the hon. Member not agree that in the last resort Germany will be judged by the reaction of her own people to men like these who are propagating organisations like this, and who can never be controlled by Federal Governmental laws, but who can be condemned, as Ramcke was recently, by the whole of the German Press and people?

Mr. Nutting

Yes, indeed, and by the Federal German Government as well.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the hon. Gentleman also see that we assure the German democrats, including the German Government, that we shall give them much better support in such matters than they had before the war?

Mr. Nutting

I think the Federal German Government are well aware that they have the full support of Her Majesty's Government, and the support of the other present occupying Powers in the action they are taking to ensure that democratic Government returns and is maintained in Germany.