Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 October 1949.
Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge
, Bedford
12:00,
31 October 1949
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the withdrawal of the system of licensing of newspapers by the Allies in Western Germany is leading to the disappearance of a democratic Press; and whether, in view of the nationalistic and pro-Nazi trends developing as a result, he will consider re-imposing some form of control for as long as any British Forces remain in occupation of Germany.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
Now that the German Federal Government has been established, it is the policy of the Western Allies to relinquish their powers of control in regard to Press matters. It is for the Governments of the German Federation and of the Laender in the first instance to take measures designed to prevent undemocratic influences from securing an improper degree of control over the Press, and I understand that the Governments of the Laender have legislation in hand.
Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge
, Bedford
As the German authorities do not appear to be taking any action to counter these anti-democratic trends, will not the Minister look at this most serious matter again, especially as there is a raging, tearing, anti-British campaign going on at the present moment in Western Germany under the direction of editors of the new papers which are springing up, many of them former Nazis?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
The assumption in the first part of that supplementary question is incorrect. Two Laender in the British zone have already passed Laws regulating the Press, and two others have legislation under way. I could not agree that the German authorities are taking no action.
Mr. Wilson Harris:
Is the Minister satisfied that the measures proposed will be adequate, in view of the very serious situation created by the ownership of the printing presses by people who are mostly nationalistic in tendency?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
We are watching the situation carefully, but my right hon. Friend does not feel that the overriding powers in the Occupation Statute and in the Press Laws justify him in intervening at the present time.
Mr Harold Davies
, Leek
Is the Minister aware that the position is that the Social Democratic Press which was confiscated by the Nazis did not start off equally with the nationalistic Press when the Press was freed? Consequently will not my right hon. Friend do something to see that the equipment is returned to the former Social Democratic owners?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
I do not think that we can now intervene in the matter.
Mr Charles Williams
, Torquay
Would the Minister point out to them the free democratic Press which we have in this country, with one exception.
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