§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about violations of Swedish neutrality by German aircraft; and what action he has taken in this regard?
§ Mr. EdenI presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recent forced landing in Sweden by a German courier aircraft flying from Norway to Finland on 19th July. I am informed by His Majesty's Minister in Stockholm that the Swedish Defence Staff have announced that the crew of five and the one male passenger, all of whom were in uniform, have been interned and the aircraft, which contained a dismounted machine gun, taken in charge by the Swedish authorities. On instructions from his Government, the Swedish Minister in Berlin has protested to the German Government at this breach of the regulations governing the passage of German courier aircraft between Norway and Finland across Swedish territory, which provide that the aircraft should be unarmed civilian aircraft. The action of the Swedish authorities over this incident has been entirely proper and correct and there is therefore no need for any action to be taken by His Majesty's Government in this matter.