HC Deb 11 February 1947 vol 433 cc182-3
15. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances the Yugoslav Consul-General in Naples and the secretary of the Yugoslav military mission in Rome were beaten to death by Chetniks when visiting the D.P. camp at Poggio Reale, near Naples; for what reasons the British military authorities failed to intervene effectively to avert this double murder, in spite of being aware of the danger; and what steps have been taken to apprehend and try those responsible.

Mr. Bellenger

I am awaiting the arrival of the proceedings of a court of inquiry. As soon as I have seen and considered these I will write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the overwhelming majority of the inmates of this camp are Quisling troops who fought on the side of Germany against the Allies; that the Yugoslav Camp Commander, General Miodrag Damjanovich, is a wanted war criminal; and that the failure to deliver up this war criminal, the failure to treat these men as prisoners of war, their employment as guards and, finally, the failure to maintain order and prevent this lynching, has had a very serious effect on Anglo-Yugoslav relations?

Professor Savory

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these gentlemen were informed three times over that their presence was not desired? And is it not understood that these Chetniks were naturally horrified at the thought of these men coming from Marshal Tito in view of their recollection of the judicial murder of General Mihailovich?

Mr. Speaker

There was an inquiry into it, but hon. Gentlemen seem to be holding it here.