§ 34. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in order to divert attention from the crimes of German War criminals and to prevent the Allies from insisting on carrying out the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles as to the surrender and trial of these criminals, the German Government or some German organisation have published in various languages and circulated over the world more than a million copies of a document called the German Counter-list, accusing 400 French officers, non-commissioned officers, men, and doctors of crimes in regard to the treatment of German prisoners of war, and have also published and circulated a shorter document accusing the British of similar crimes; and whether, in order to prevent further evasion by Germany of their pledges to surrender German War criminals for trial and to put an end to their propaganda for assisting them in such evasion, the British Government will, in conjunction with France and in accordance with the Treaty, demand the immediate surrender of these War criminals for trial?
§ The ATTORNEY - GENERAL (Sir Gordon Hewart)I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of the matters referred to in the first part of the question, except that I am informed that a list of French officers and men against whom accusations were said to be made, was published in the Press of Germany in May last. Any further action in the direction suggested in the question must be a matter for consideration by the Allies jointly.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer the latter part of the question regarding the prevention of further evasion by Germany?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI have answered that part. The second part of my answer related to that part of the question.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman make any statement as to the report of the committee of lawyers appointed to consider the Leipzig trials?
§ Sir G. HEWARTThat is the subject of another question on the Paper.