asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why no reply has been sent to the petition of the Aldermen of Heligoland, handed into the British High Commission of Control in Berlin on 10th June, 1947; and whether arrangements can now be made for the return to their island, after eight years of enforced exile, of the Frisian natives, who were British subjects up to 9th August, 1890, and who are now suffering distress on the Continent of Europe.

The British authorities in Germany are unable to trace the petition referred to. Many representations of German opinion on this subject have been received during the past four years. As regards the future policy of His Majesty's Government towards Heligoland, I have nothing to add at present to the statement by my right hon. Friend on 29th June.

Has not the hon. Gentleman seen the unanimous resolution of the Federal Parliament at Bonn requesting the British Government to restore these unfortunate people to their mother country?

I am aware of many expressions of German opinion on this subject. I have drawn the attention of my right hon. Friend to this Question.

Will a statement be made about this matter at a relatively early date?

I will consider that suggestion.

What is the object now of keeping Heligoland? I thought that the bombing experiments had finished and that there was no further use for it.

I have nothing to add.