HC Deb 13 October 1943 vol 392 cc855-6
10. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of demanding from the Italian Government the surrender of Generals Ambrosio and Roatta as war criminals?

19. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the records of Generals Ambrosio and Roatta when in command of Italian troops in Yugoslavia and that they have been placed on the list of war criminals drawn up by the Yugoslav Government; and whether he will give an assurance that similar action will be taken against these men as against all other war criminals?

21. Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ensure that General Roatta is on the list of Italian war criminals?

22. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to secure that no member of an Italian Government and no official employed by such Government is any person accused of war crimes by any Government of our Allies until such time as the charges against such a person have been fully investigated?

Mr. Law

I am aware of the accusations that are made against Generals Ambrosio and Roatta. They are being investigated, and if they are discovered to be well founded, appropriate action will be taken.

Mr. Lipson

Does my right hon. Friend think that while this investigation is taking place the British Government ought to allow General Roatta to occupy a position in the Badoglio Government?

Mr. Law

I think we must wait until we hear the result of the investigation.

Earl Winterton

Is it not the case that in these matters, whatever feelings there may be in this House for or against people, His Majesty's Government have to act in close concert with the Government of the United States and that sometimes opinion in the United States, where there is a large number of people of Italian descent, takes a quite different line from that of Members in this House?

Mr. Law

Yes, we have to act not only with the Government of the United States but with the Government of the Soviet Union as well.

Mr. Shinwel

But is it not desirable not to tie ourselves too closely to Fascist elements?

Sir A. Southby

Will my right hon. Friend say whether it is or is not a fact that General Roatta has been put on the Yugoslav list of war criminals? Also, may I ask whether General Badoglio is on the list submitted by the Emperor of Ethiopia?

Mr. Law

With regard to General Roatta, I have seen reports in the Press that he is on the list of war criminals of the Yugoslav Government, but that Government has not made any official communication to His Majesty's Government on that point.