HC Deb 05 July 1944 vol 401 cc1160-2
Mr. Silverman

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the mass deportation of Jews now proceeding from Hungary to Poland for the purpose of massacre; whether he can say how many have been slaughtered in this way in recent weeks, and whether there are any steps which the United Nations can take to prevent in the moment of victory the total annihilation of European Jewry by Hitlerite Germany.

Mr. Eden

As regards the first and second points raised by my hon. Friend, I fear I have no definite information, though there are, I greatly regret to say, strong indications from various reliable sources that the German and Hungarian authorities have already begun these barbarous deportations and that in the course of them many persons have been killed. As regards the third point, there are unfortunately no signs that the repeated declarations made by His Majesty's Government in association with the other United Nations of their intention to punish the instigators and perpetrators of these frightful crimes have moved the German Government and their Hungarian accomplices either to allow the departure of even a small proportion of their victims or to abate the fury of their persecution. The principal hope of terminating this tragic state of affairs must remain the speedy victory of the Allied nations.

Mr. Silverman

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether such information as he has tends in any way to confirm the figures which have been given in some quarters, namely, that in recent days the number deported amounted to 400,000, of whom the number killed amounts already to 100,000? Has he any information that the Hungarian Government have recently called upon their various police presidents to speed up the process so that it may be completed within the next 20 days?

Mr. Eden

I have not heard anything on the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary questions. In this terrible business I would really rather not give figures unless one is absolutely sure, because it is bad enough, God knows, without doing that. We have done all we can and we shall do all we can. I might say that his Holiness the Pope made some representations a little while ago, and the House probably knows that the King of Sweden has already made an appeal. I am bound to say that the action and attitude of the Hungarian Government is one that fills this country with loathing.

Mr. Silverman

While appreciating to the full my right hon. Friend's sympathy and constructive activity in this matter, may I ask does he realise that the Jewish community in Hungary is now the last remaining Jewish community in Europe? If any further appeal can be made—not to the butcher gang now running German affairs but to the Hungarian Government who, in the past, have not resorted to this sort of activity except under German pressure—might not that still be made?

Mr. Eden

I have considered that, and I agree that the previous record of the Hungarian Government makes this so much more terrible a story. The last representations we made, the hon. Gentleman will perhaps remember, were actually in reply to a statement which he made endorsing the initiative of President Roosevelt. That was as lately as last March. I do not think we can add anything to that, although we shall, of course, use the B.B.C. to bring home to the Hungarian Government the feelings of this House and the nation on the matter.

Mr. Gallacher

Could not a direct appeal be made to the Hungarian people by the United Nations through the B.B.C. and other channels to defend these Jews against this persecution?

Mr. Eden

That has been done and is being done. Of course, the hon. Gentleman will know that it was as a result of the declaration made in Moscow that the original appeal was made, but I will consider a further appeal.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Is not the important thing first to ascertain the facts?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir, I agree. That was why I was not willing to give figures, but there can be no doubt in the main as to what is going on.

Mr. Graham White

Might it not serve a useful purpose if His Majesty's Government were to associate themselves formally with the representations made by the Government of the United States of America and by the King of Sweden?

Mr. Eden

We have, Sir. We have been completely in step with the United States about that. The position of the King of Sweden is, of course, different from that of the United States Government, as he is the head of a neutral country.

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