VISIT TO GERMANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22141, 21 June 1935, Page 11

VISIT TO GERMANY

BRITISH LEGIONARIES ATTITUDE OF LABOUR LONDON, June 19 $ In the House of Commons to-day Mr. 'A. Bevan (Labour —Ebbw \ ale) asked whether the proposal to send a delegation of ex-servicemen to German}' had been made with the knowledge and consent of the Government. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Saimiel Hoare, replied tihat the Government was aware that it was the British Legion's policy to establish friendly relations with corresponding organisations in all countries, but it regarded the matter V'; purely as one for, ex-servicemen s organisations. , Mr. Bevan # fs the Minister aware that exception is not taken to the send- »• ing of a deputation but to the manner, place and authority which gave the matter a diplomatic significance it ought not to possess? Would the Minis--3 ter see that the delegation visits exservicemen in prisons and concentration camps in Germany ? Sir Samuel: It is essentially a mat--5 ter for the ex-servicemen's organisations and not one in which the foreign Office ought to interfere. i; Mr. Bevan: Does the Minister approve of the proposal being made by a person occupying the position of the •T Prince of Wales? (Cries of "Order.") t Sir Samuel: lam neither approving nor disapproving. It is not a matter within the competence of the Foreign Office. Mr. U. H. Morgan (Conservative— Stourbridge): Has it no diplomatic sigIg pi fie a nee P |f Sir Samuel did not reply.