§ 37. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether any of the war criminals on the lists presented to Germany are now in the hands of Great Britain or the Allies; if so, what action is contemplated with regard to them; and whether any statement can be made as to whether, in all the circumstances, the Allies now propose to take any further steps for the surrender and trial of war criminals at present in Germany or elsewhere?
§ 43. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether the negotiations with Germany as to the trial before the Leipzig courts of German war criminals has nearly reached a conclusion; and whether he will, in concert with France, inform the German Government that until satisfactory arrangements have been made for the trial of all the German war criminals, no facilities will be given for the importation of food stuffs and raw materials into Germany?
§ 47. Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the Prime Minister, whether the trial has already taken place at Leipzig of any Germans accused of cruelty to British prisoners of war; if not, when it is anticipated that the first trial will take place; who will be tried; what arrangements have been made for the attendance and summoning of English witnesses; whether he can state if any and, if so, how many of the accused persons are in custody pending trial; and, if not, what precautions have been taken to prevent those whose names are on the list of accused persons supplied to Germany by the Allies from evading trial by leaving the country?
54. Colonel LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the Supreme Council have decided not to employ force in order to extradite the ex-Kaiser, whether all war criminals who dare not face a court of justice will be equally able to find sanctuary in Holland?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot add anything in regard to the negotiations on this subject to previous answers, but I understand that the subect will be discussed and, I hope, disposed of at the Conference 548 at San Remo. There are some prisoners in our hands who are in the list of those accused as war criminals, and none of them have been released.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCannot the hon. Gentleman say whether any pressure is being brought to bear upon the German Government to prevent their persistent evasion of Treaty obligations by Germany and to bring these persons speedily to trial?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI said in my answer that the subject is now being discussed at San Remo, and I do not think that anything can be said until that Conference is over.
Colonel LOWTHERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any steps are being taken to prevent ordinary War criminals taking sanctuary in Holland in view of the fact that the Hohenzollerns have taken refuge there?
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the Government take steps to see that those men do not escape, and will the German Government be held responsible for their appearance at the trial?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes. The House is aware—I think despatches were published—as to what has taken place in regard to this subject. There has been no change except that negotiations are proceeding. But, as I have said, the subject is one that will be discussed at San Remo.
Colonel LOWTHERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Is there to be one law for the Hohenzollerns and another for the ordinary War criminal?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOf course there is!
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAction in respect to the Hohenzollerns does not depend upon this Government, but upon the Dutch Government.
Colonel LOWTHERIs it not the fact that the Hohenzollerns and the head of the Hohenzollerns have taken sanctuary in Holland; will the same sanctuary be accorded to any ordinary War criminal who does not believe in facing his trial?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member must ask that question of the Dutch Government.