HC Deb 11 February 1946 vol 419 cc9-10
18. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider publishing a digest of the information in the Government's possession as to the extent to which Chetnik units under the command of General Mihailovitch collaborated with, or received help from, Italian and German forces and engaged in hostilities against partisan troops under Marshal Tito fighting on the side of the Allies.

Mr. McNeil

The information available is extensive, lacking in precision, and in parts conflicting. My right hon. Friend therefore does not consider the publication of a digest feasible.

Mr. Zilliacus

Will my hon. Friend confirm that there is, in fact, no doubt, in the light of the information that the Government possess, that Chetnik units under the command General Mihailovitch did accept assistance from German and Italian forces in fighting the troops of Marshal Tito?

Mr. McNeil

I think that, as far as that is a statement, it is accurate, but as I have indicated, other assertions have been made, and they are very vague.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the Minister publishes anything, will he also publish the German declaration under which the same price was put on the head of General Mihailovitch as on the head of Marshal Tito, and does this suggest that General Mihailovitch co-operated very much?

Mr. McNeil

I think the hon. Gentleman's question upholds the conclusion arrived at by my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Wilkes

Is the Minister aware that in the War Office files there can be found the detailed German order of battle for Yugoslavia and the official attachments of Chetnik units to these German brigades and panzer units?

Major Lloyd

Can the Minister say where Marshal Tito was at the time when Yugoslavia found her soul under the King, and General Mihailovitch?