HC Deb 11 July 1960 vol 626 cc977-8
40. Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the United Kingdom representative on the Peace Observation Commission of the United Nations to inquire about the extent to which the propaganda activities of ex-Nazis outside Western Germany are contributing to international tension.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Robert Allan)

No, Sir.

Dr. Thompson

Is the Minister aware that the United Arab Republic and the Irish Republic are now the main centres of ex-Nazi propaganda activities in the Middle East; that about 15 ex-Nazis and S.S. war criminals, usually using Middle East names, are beaming out propaganda in terms identical with that used by Hitler which constituted a threat to international peace before the war, and that the Nazi propaganda unit operating in the Irish Republic are not even troubling to live under assumed names?

Mr. Allan

That may be, but the Question refers to the action of the Peace Observation Commission, whose terms of reference are to observe and report on areas where tension constitutes a threat to international peace and security. I do not think that the incidents, deplorable though they are, which have been mentioned by the hon. Member come into that category.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that it might be very difficult for the Peace Observation Commission to restrain the propaganda activities of ex-Nazis in such a way as not to endanger the peace while Dr. Adenauer himself is making public speeches threatening activities designed to restore East Prussia to the German Reich?

Mr. Allan

No one has ever accused Dr. Adenauer of being an ex-Nazi.

Mr. Janner

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that this type of propaganda is of such a vicious nature that it is bound to upset understandings not only outside but within the country? Will he, if necessary with his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, do something to see to it that this vicious stuff is not spread in this way?

Mr. Allan

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary deplore these incidents. But this Question referred to action which might be taken in the Peace Observation Commission, and I do not think that is appropriate.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to consider again the proposal in the original Question? Is it not the fact that in the 1930s propaganda of this kind was extremely dangerous in the Arab world and a major contributory factor to what happened there?

Mr. Allan

As I have said. I know that my right hon. Friends deplore this type of propaganda, but the answer to it is not to be found through action in the Peace Observation Commission, because the Commission cannot act independently. It can act only on the authority of the Security Council or the Assembly.