HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc844-5
68. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give consideration to the matter of making a declaration of policy that, so far as possible, after the war, those responsible for murder, cruelty and oppression committed on persons such as hostages and others in enemy-occupied territories for deeds over which they had no control, will be brought to trial and, if found guilty, punished according to their offence?

67. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make it clear that it is the intention of the Allies to compile lists of those responsible for crimes committed by the enemy during the war, and to deal suitably with the individuals responsible at the end of the war when they become available for arrest?

69. Mr. Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the German authorities in the occupied territories have introduced the practice of seizing and executing hostages, thereby violating the most elementary principles of law and justice, he will give an undertaking that those responsible for these murders will, after the war, be brought to trial and judgment, and made to surfer the penalty appropriate to their crimes?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Richard Law)

His Majesty's Government have had this subject under consideration; and my right hon. Friend is approaching the Allied Governments on the matter.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Are we now ourselves keeping such lists as we are able to formulate from the information at our disposal?

Mr. Law

I think I can assure the hon. gentleman that these actions are not passing unnoticed, either in the countries where they occur or in this country.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the Departments do all in their power to keep the evidence that is available?