HC Deb 15 November 1944 vol 404 cc1932-3
3. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the disinclination of some people in this country to believe the extent of the atrocities committed by the Germans against the civilian populations of the countries they have occupied, he will publish the substantiated evidence of their crimes in a White Paper.

Mr. Law

A great deal of well-attested information on this subject has appeared in the Press and in publications issued by Allied Governments. As the matter is one of close concern to those Governments, as well as to His Majesty's Government, the publication of a comprehensive official record such as my hon. Friend has in mind must await the completion of the work of the United Nations War Crimes Commission. This body has been charged by the Allied Governments concerned with the task of compiling the available evidence with a view to the punishment of those responsible.

Miss Ward

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind—I hope he will agree—that it is essential that the people of this country should know the full facts of the atrocities and crimes committed by the Germans against the countries they have occupied; and will he take steps to ensure that that information is available?

Mr. Law

Yes, I most emphatically agree with what the hon. Lady has said.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the really serious thing is that these are not ordinary atrocities, but represent the reintroduction by the German Government of torture as a part of legal procedure, which is the most retrograde proceeding in history; and will he call attention to that fact?

Mr. Law

My hon. Friend has called attention to the fact, and I have no doubt that what he has said will be noted.