§ 14. Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British diplomatic staff are stationed in Germany; and what their responsibilities are with regard to human rights issues.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe number is 81. The embassy and or consulates-general have a responsibility for providing regular reporting and analysis of issues in Germany, including human rights, relevant to United Kingdom interests.
§ Mr. WinnickHas the British embassy in Germany made it clear to the German authorities how deeply shocking and despicable have been the racist attacks by Nazi thugs there? Is the Minister aware that it is extremely unfortunate that once again Labour Members of Parliament in the House of Commons have to protest against racism, Nazi hooliganism and Nazi thugs operating on German soil? We do not require lectures from Germany about federalism and union and so on; we require Germany to put its own house in order.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesI do not think that there is a question of lecturing either of Germany by us or of us by Germany. Our distaste and disgust at the events in Germany are shared 100 per cent. by the German Administration and, as every opinion poll shows, by the vast majority of decent German people. Therefore, we do not have to make any firm representations to the German Government in such matters; they feel exactly as we do about them.