HC Deb 14 November 1945 vol 415 cc2087-8
1. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Attorney-General whether he will publish the names of counsel instructed on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to prosecute the German war criminals at the Nuremberg trials; by whom their fees are paid; and the estimated amount of such fees.

The Solicitor-General (Major Sir Frank Soskice)

My hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General will be present at the trial from time to time as Chief Prosecutor. His Deputy, the right hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Sir Maxwell Fyfe), Mr. G. D. Roberts, Lieut.-Colonel Mervyn Griffith-Jones, Colonel H. J. Phillimore and the hon. and gallant Member for Plaistow (Major Elwyn Jones) have been instructed and will be present throughout the trial. The fees in the first instance will have to be paid by His Majesty's Government. The hon. Member will, however, be aware of the provisions of Article 30 of the Charter of the International Military Tribunal, which reads as follows: The expenses of the Tribunal and of the trials shall be charged by the Signatories against the funds allotted for the maintenance of the Control Council for Germany. It will, however, have to be a matter for discussion with the other signatory Governments how the provisions of that Article are to be applied in relation to counsel's fees. The brief fees are expected to amount to about 3,250 guineas, but it is impossible to estimate the total cost until it is known how long the trial will last. As I have stated, the Attorney-General will only be present from time to time, and the amount of his brief fee is still under consideration.

Major Guy Lloyd

Could the Solicitor-General say whether it is proposed to make available in the Library of the House a verbatim report of these proceedings, or must we depend entirely on the Press?

The Solicitor-General

So far as I know, no arrangement so far has been made to make available a copy as suggested, but I will bear in mind what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says and will see if arrangements can be made accordingly.

Mr. Anthony Nutting

Can the Solicitor-General say when the trials will begin?

The Solicitor-General

The date as at present fixed is 20th November.

Captain Prescott

Is the House to understand from the hon. and learned Gentleman's answer that the recent Press statement that the learned Attorney-General will receive 5,000 guineas on his brief and 100 guineas a day is true?

The Solicitor-General

So far as I know, there is no foundation for that report.