§ 37. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government recently refused the request of the French Government that an official protest should be jointly made to Germany against the re-emergence of a Nazi movement in Germany.
§ Mr. EdenI have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 19th December.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that this Question was put down early in December and that it becomes somewhat academic in view of the magnificent step taken by him during the last few days in dealing with the Nazis? But does not he agree that in dealing with this Nazi menace it is still important that we should always move with France and other countries of Western Europe?
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodWill the right hon. Gentleman see that there is a full exchange of information between the French, British and American Governments on matters of this kind?
§ Mr. EdenYes, I think I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance, though I believe that the recent action to which he refers hardly arises on this supplementary. Perhaps we had better deal with it when it arises.
§ Mr. DaltonHas the right hon. Gentleman thought of the desirability of publishing as a White Paper the very interesting American report recently made on Nazi recrudescence?
§ Mr. EdenI do not know that I entirely accept the right hon. Gentleman's adjectives. This was, I understand, a public opinion poll, and I think the right hon. Gentleman knows that they can sometimes be deceptive in every country. Therefore, I would not like to regard any public opinion poll as decisive.
§ Mr. DaltonNone the less, would it not be interesting to have it published so that hon. Members might read it? Is there any objection to having it laid as a White Paper?
§ Mr. EdenI think it is hardly in the nature of a White Paper. I understand there have been many such investigations of a confidential nature by the United States, and some perhaps by this country Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would allow me to look into it.
§ Captain DuncanIs not my right hon Friend disappointed that France has not walked with us as fast as we would have liked?
§ Mr. EdenI do not quite know what my hon. and gallant Friend means. If he means, am I a little disappointed that the E.D.C. Treaty is not ratified, the answer is "Yes."
§ Mr. AlbuHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to an article in the paper of the Stahlhelm —which, I understand, has between 200,000 and 300,000 members—which compares British and Allied generals, officers and soldiers in Korea with German war criminals?
§ Mr. EdenI must say I do not think that is relevant to the Question on the Paper which only deals with the official protest. I have not seen the article, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes to draw my attention to it I should be glad to look at it.