HC Deb 28 July 1947 vol 441 cc30-1
74. Mr. Bramall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all authority for de-Nazification has now been handed over to the German authorities; whether their decisions can now be reversed by British authorities; and whether the German authorities now have the right to reverse earlier rulings made by the British authorities.

Mr. Mayhew

All authority for de-Nazification has not yet been handed over to the German authorities. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes," and to the third part, "No."

Mr. Bramall

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that a statement was made, a long time ago. that when the Landtag elections had been held, all authority would be handed over to the Germans, and that such action was taken in Hamburg? Will he take steps to see that His Majesty's Government do not continue their responsibility for the faults of the de-Nazification board?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir, our policy is to hand over de-Nazification. At the Council of Foreign Ministers it was laid down that there should be uniformity of treatment in the various zones, and discussions are in progress to bring that about.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is it not time that this witch-hunting all over Europe stopped?

Mr. Mayhew

Certainly. We want to get the whole problem of de-Nazification behind us.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is it a fact that the chairmen of the de-Nazification courts are now all Germans?

Mr. Mayhew

That is so, but the findings of the tribunals are still subject to British confirmation.

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