§ 45. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Prime Minister whether the Allied Powers, in deciding upon the policy of unconditional surrender for the enemy, envisaged the possibility that rather than submit to the consequences of such a policy, the workers in Germany before or after the conclusion of hostilities, might overthrow the present Nazi Government and establish a Communist régime instead, following the example of the Russian proletariat against Tsarism at the end of the war of 1914–18; and are the Allies prepared for such an eventuality.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)Yes, Sir.
§ Mr. DaviesIf the point was considered by the Allied Governments of the possibility of the emergence of a Communist Government in Germany with the overthrow of the Nazi regime, may we take it that His Majesty's Government will not act towards a Communist Germany as the right hon. Gentleman and his Government did when the Bolshevik regime emerged in Russia at the end of the last war?
§ The Prime MinisterI should not like to go into this matter, but I am quite sure that German criminals have no right to escape merely by suddenly embracing the Communist faith.
§ Mr. Austin HopkinsonCan the Prime Minister tell us the exact difference between a Nazi and a Communist regime?
§ The Prime MinisterI really could write quite a short brochure on the subject.
§ Mr. DaviesWould His Majesty's Government and their Allies' Governments welcome the emergence of a Communist regime in Germany?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is not at all helpful or useful to put a number of complicated hypothetical questions on these matters. I think we had better get on with our work.