§ 11. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many 142 British members of the Control Commission staff in Germany are now serving sentences in German prisons, whether they wear German convict uniforms; and whether they are under the control of German warders.
§ Mr. BevinNone, Sir, but my hon. Friend is probably referring to former members of the Control Commission, of whom there are 12 serving sentences in a German prison. They wear prison clothes of a distinctive pattern supplied from British sources, and they are under the control of British staff, who are assisted in minor ways by German warders.
§ Mr. StokesAre we to understand that a member of the Control Commission who is sent to prison ceases to be a member of the Commission?
§ Mr. StokesIs my right hon. Friend aware that these people are in German prisons, in German convicts' uniform, are being controlled by German prison warders? Is it not the fact that this is completely contrary to what is laid down in the British Military Government regulations?
§ Mr. BevinI do not think so. It is not true to say they are in German convicts' uniform. I have already answered that question. Nor are they under German warders. They are under British warders.
§ Mr. StokesWill my right hon. Friend look into this matter?
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingIs it the fact that these British members of the Control Commission who have been convicted have no right of appeal, even to the Privy Council in this country?
§ Mr. StokesWill my right hon. Friend look into this matter, because responsible members of the Commission are very much concerned about it.