HC Deb 15 April 1915 vol 71 c42W
Sir JOHN ROLLESTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that George Lade, a British subject, arrested in Dunkirk, and to whom the British Consul refused his assistance, was present in that town in consequence of the telegraphic invitation of the Belgian Prime Minister, Baron de Brocqueville; whether he is aware that the British Consul knew this when he refused Lade help; and whether he is still held to be an unauthorised civilian in the military area?

Mr. PRIMROSE

It is, so I am informed, not the case that Lade was invited to Dunkirk by the Belgian Prime Minister. Dunkirk is, of course, not in Belgium but in France. As I have already stated, Lade did not possess the qualifications requisite for receiving apermis de séjour from the French military authorities having jurisdiction in Dunkirk. He was, therefore, properly regarded as an unauthorised civilian in the military area.