§ 25. Mr. INSKIPasked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to issue a list of enemy persons whom it is proposed to put on trial for offences against international law under the Peace Treaties: and, if so, when the list will be issued.
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)As the hon. Member will recollect, an opportunity has been given to the German Government to proceed itself to the trial of the persons referred to, and a list of those who are to be so treated will be forthcoming at an early date.
§ Mr. INSKIPIs it not proposed to issue a list of prisoners whom we propose to put on trial?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly. The list that we are sending will be published in due course.
§ Mr. BILLINGShall we conduct the prosecution, or will the Germans?
§ Mr. INSKIPCan the right hon. Gentleman say what "due course" means: does he not realise that very great public interest in taken in the names of the persons, if any, who will be put on trial?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUndoubtedly, and rightly so. There are some of these people who undoubtedly must be brought to justice, because they have committed some of the most foul crimes in the history of the world. The list is being prepared by a Commission of the Allies.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it proposed that the Law Officers of the British Crown shall be represented at this trial, and, if so, will they conduct the prosecution?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, the Law Officers of the British Crown will not appear before the German Court. We propose to give the opportunity to the German Court to see that justice is done, but we are not in the least abandoning our rights.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONWhat is the number comprised in the first list forwarded to the German Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not had the list yet.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that British experts are present at the trial to watch the proceedings?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe shall certainly watch the proceedings very carefully.
§ Mr. E. WOODWO the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher)?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHYou want a butcher to kill the Kaiser!
§ Mr. HOUSTONWhat will be the attitude of the British Government if the German Court acquits these men?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can ask that if the contingency arises.
38. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if he will state what control will be exercised by the Allies over the trials of war criminals at Leipzig; whether, if the trials are unsatisfactory as regards their impartiality and otherwise, the Allies have reserved to themselves an effective right to re-open the matter; and whether any and, if so, what modifications have been made in the list of accused persons originally submitted on behalf of this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf my hon. and gallant Friend will consult the Note addressed to the German Government on February 13th, the terms of which were published in the Press of February 17th, he will obtain all the information asked for in his question. No further communication on this subject has since been made to the German Government.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the first portion of the question is not replied to 18 by the reply already given? What control will there be?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have already answered that in reply to another question.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask further whether, in consequence of the reply that he has made that the Law Officers of the Crown will not be able to represent the British Government, who is going to look after the interests of the British Government, or who is going to see that these criminals are properly dealt with?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe shall take very step that is possible before a German Court to see that all the facts and evidence are submitted to the Court.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the German Court permit us to have someone there with a watching brief on our behalf?
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNWill British witnesses be subpoenaed to give evidence in these matters?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no doubt at all that all the evidence necessary and relevant will be submitted, whether it is British or any other evidence.
§ Viscount CURZONIs it still the intention of the Government to try the Kaiser before a German Court or an English one?