§ 6. Mr. William Shepherdasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it is the intention of the British Administration to follow the lead set by the U.S.A., as announced by General J. T. McNarney, in granting an amnesty to minor Nazi offenders.
§ Mr. J. HyndNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ShepherdWhat is to be gained by keeping these minor prisoners in captivity?
§ Mr. HyndThere are no minor Nazis in captivity in the British zone. In my opinion, the measures taken in the British zone are much more effective than those taken in the American zone, and the numbers of those who have still to be dealt with under the de-Nazification procedure in the British zone are certainly much less.
§ Mr. EdenCould the Chancellor of the Duchy consider shortly fixing some date, after which there would be no preferring of charges for offences long past?
§ Mr. HyndI mentioned in the Debate the other day that we do not consider that the fixing of an arbitrary date is the answer, but we are making a target of the end of this year for the whole of the problem, and the middle of this year for the bulk of the problem. We believe that that procedure will best meet the case.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the hon. Gentleman consider directing the attention of the Secretary of State to minor Nazi sympathisers in this country?