PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FRANK FOLEY (6 May 2008)

That this House commemorates 7th May 2008, marking fifty years since the death of Frank Foley, a British spy based in Berlin during the 1930s; notes that under his cover as a passport control officer at the British Embassy he risked his life by venturing into concentration camps to help free Jewish internees, provided false papers and passports for Jewish people to leave Nazi Germany for sanctuary and even hid them in his own home until they were able to leave Germany; further notes that his selfless bravery saved the lives of approximately 10,000 Jewish people from certain death; recognises that just as the horrors of the Holocaust and the millions who perished should never be forgotten, its heroes also should never be forgotten; further recognises that the actions of individuals like Frank Foley during the Holocaust represented a glimmer of humanity during one of history's darkest moments against a backdrop of widespread hostility or indifference across Europe; notes with dismay that although Frank Foley was recognised as Righteous Amongst the Nations at Yad Vashem Israel's Holocaust Museum, he did not receive a formal recognition or honour for his actions in the United Kingdom during his lifetime; calls on the British Government to consider changing the current statutes governing the honours system to allow a posthumous knighthood to be awarded to Frank Foley; hopes that this will pave the way for the recognition of other British rescuers during the Holocaust such as Randolph Churchill, Sergeant Charles Coward, Jane Haining, Tommy Noble and Robert Smallbones, who risked their own lives and often the lives of their families to give life to others; and commends the work of organisations like the Holocaust Educational Trust in ensuring their memory and experiences are kept alive and passed on to future generations.

Sponsored by:
Lynda Waltho (Labour)