HC Deb 03 April 1946 vol 421 cc1251-4
Mr. Hollis (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will make to the Yugoslav Government a communication similar to that made by the United States Government asking that British subjects be allowed to testify at any trial that may be held of General Mihailovic.

Mr. Bevin

His Majesty's Ambassador at Belgrade has informed me that, according to an announcement made by the Yugoslav Minister of the Interior on 24th March, General Mihailovic has been in the hands of the Yugoslav authorities since 13th March.

As the hon. Member knows, His Majesty's Government gave their support to General Mihailovic after the German occupation of Yugoslavia in 1941 since it was he who first organised resistance to the invaders. There can be no doubt that during the last half of 1941 General Mihailovic rendered useful services to the Allied cause. Nevertheless, as time passed it became clear that Mihailovic was engaged in fighting Marshal Tito's partisans, who for their part continued their struggle against the occupying forces. By the end of 1943, His Majesty's Government were convinced that General Mihailovic was no longer fighting the Germans and that some of his lieutenants were actively co-operating with them against the partisans. They therefore ceased to provide Mihailovic with arms and supplies.

We have no information about what charges will be brought against General Mihailovic. It may be a charge of collaboration with the enemy or it may be for action against he National Liberation Movement. If it is the latter, His Majesty's Government do not appear to be involved. His Majesty's Government recognise that Mihailovic did perform a useful service to the Allies at one stage.

Mr. Pickthorn

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the Question put to him? He has given us a great deal of information, most of which is not relevant to the Question. May we now have an answer to the Question? That is to say: Have His Majesty's Government acted in collaboration with the United States Government in this matter, or, if not, have they had full information from the United States Government, and do His Majesty's Government now intend to make the same request as has been made by the United States Government?

Mr. Bevin

I bow to the superior judgment of my hon. Friend. No one can represent Cambridge like he can. The answer, I think, lays it down quite clearly that it depends on what the charges are. II the charges are for anything that has occurred when he was acting on behalf of His Majesty's Government, then the question of giving evidence will arise. If the charges arose on something with which His Majesty's Government have no connection at all, then I do not think I ought to commit myself at this stage.

Mr. Hollis

May I take it from the Foreign Secretary's reply that in the event of the charges being of the first nature then His Majesty's Government will make representations to the Yugoslav Government for facilities to enable British witnesses to testify?

Mr. Bevin

I think I should be allowed to see what the charges are and I do not intend to prejudge them. I think I have made it quite clear that His Majesty's Government and previous Governments have the highest appreciation of Mihailovic's actions in the early days of the revolt, but not in connection with the Partisan movement at a later stage. I am not sure till I see what the charges are whether I ought to take any part or make any protest at all. I think that is the correct attitude to take.

Mr. Eden

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear this in mind—I quite understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not yet know what the charges are—that if the charges are such as affect Mihailovic's conduct against the enemy, His Majesty's Government will be sympathetic to those officers of ours who were with him and might want to give evidence, like the American officers want to do?

Mr. Bevin

Certainly, Sir.

Mr. Thurtle

On a point of Order. May I submit to you, Sir, that these are questions of a hypothetical nature?

Mr. Eden

The man is in jail.

Mr. Speaker

I do not know about them being of a hypothetical nature, but to me the trial seems to be a very real matter.

Lieut. -Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

No matter what the charges are, will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that this trial of Mihailovic will be directed by justice and not by political expediency?

Mr. Bevin

I think we have to assume that a country with which we are in friendly relation is conducting its business properly.

Mr. Pickthorn

May I put this point to the right hon. Gentleman? Does the right hon. Gentleman lay down the general principle that if the charge alludes to happenings after a certain date His Majesty's Government would not desire any British subject to give such evidence as he may have and which affects the charge?

Mr. Bevin

No, it is not a question of dates; it is a question of category. If the question at issue is what did Mihailovic do in connection with the enemy, that is one thing; if it is what he did in connection with collaborating with the enemy and fighting the Partisans, that is another category. That is the issue I have to decide.

Mr. Pickthorn

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better proceed to the next business.