Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 3 Tachwedd 1947.
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
12:00,
3 Tachwedd 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. R. P. Dutt was refused permission to attend the Conference of the Socialist Unity Party in Berlin by order of the Commander-in-Chief Germany; what are the powers of the Commander-in-Chief; and whether these include the right to interfere in the political rights of British civilians.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
The powers of the Commander-in-Chief are exercised on instructions from His Majesty's Government, and my right hon. Friend supported the refusal of facilities in this case. As the hon. Member is aware, facilities can be granted for visits to the British zone of Germany and to the British sector of Berlin whenever it is considered that such visits would serve the purposes of the occupation. It was not felt that the visit in question satisfied this condition.
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
Will the Minister note the support which is being given by the Opposition to the prevention of democratic rights? Would he explain why it is that permission has been granted to Labour Party representatives to go to Berlin from the British zone while Communist representatives are not allowed to do so?
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
Before my hon. Friend answers that question, may I ask is he aware that repeated applications made by myself to the Soviet authorities to visit concentration camps in the Russian occupied zone have been refused?
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in Order for a matter to be raised which is rightly the responsibility of the Soviet Government, and may I have an answer to my question?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
It is quite obvious that we had better get on to the next Question.
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I have an answer to my supplementary question?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
Not necessarily. The Minister is quite entitled not to answer if he so chooses. As I said, I think we had better get on to the next Question.
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