HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 cc3-4W
Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further developments have taken place in regard to the possible appointment of Herr Wurmann as a German vice-consul in London, and if he will make a further statement on the matter.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 26th June was based on a statement issued on 22nd June by the German consul-general, a copy of which was communicated to the Foreign Office.

On 23rd June, however, the Consul-General communicated a second statement to the Press saying "It seems that an erroneous impression may have been given in our statement yesterday that Herr Wurmann was 'only on the list of applicants' for the German consul-general in London. We now learn that he had been selected for London by the German authorities, who gave his name, with those of other selected members of the consulate staff, to the representative of 'Picture Post.' He will not now come to London.'

Unlike the first statement, this correction by the German consul-general was not communicated to the Foreign Office. The German consul-general has expressed regret for this oversight.