Oral Answers to Questions — Danzig.

– in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.

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Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the arrest on 3rd March in Danzig of two British journalists; and the reason why large numbers of Jews are being expelled from the Free City?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

My Noble Friend has no official confirmation of the Press reports of the arrest of two British journalists in Danzig. As regards the second part of the question, there is reason to believe that the party of Jewish emigrants who recently left the Free City departed on their own initiative, and that there was no question of expulsion.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Is not the right hon. Gentleman sufficiently interested in the arrest of British journalists to make inquiries as to what has happened to them?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I have no confirmation of the report to which the hon. Member has referred.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I am always, as the hon. Member knows, informed of these matters, and I have no confirmation of the report to which he refers.

Photo of Captain William Benn Captain William Benn , Manchester, Gorton

In the light of the circumstances which we know to exist in Danzig, does the right hon. Gentleman persist in the statement that these Jews leave of their own free will?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

There were most regrettable reasons in the shape of the violation of the constitution to which I have referred in answer to questions, but the actual act of leaving was taken by the Jews on their own initiative.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Have the Government received any report from the High Commissioner on this subject; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first contingent of 500 left on 3rd March?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that.

Photo of Sir Archibald Sinclair Sir Archibald Sinclair , Caithness and Sutherland

When the prisoner jumps off the plank of the pirate ship, is the act of leaving on his own initiative?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

The question of Danzig is not so simple as that, and we regret that these Jews have taken a sudden decision to leave.

Photo of Captain William Benn Captain William Benn , Manchester, Gorton

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know perfectly well from official reports from Danzig that the Jews are under constant pressure every time to leave the Free City?

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