HC Deb 26 April 1948 vol 450 cc12-3
33. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the cost, to date, of the trial of major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal in Tokyo; how far does the cost compare with the Nuremberg Trials; how long have they gone on for; and how much longer are they likely to continue.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)

As the 11 nations participating in the trial of major war criminals in Tokyo do not all publish figures of their expenditure, and as for a similar reason no figure is available for the Nuremberg Trial, it is not possible to answer that part of the Question which concerns the cost of the two trials. The Tribunal began its sessions in Tokyo on 29th April, 1946. The proceedings ended on 16th April this year, and it is thought that the preparation and reading of the judgment will take another six to eight weeks.

Mr. Teeling

Would it not be true to say that there are in the possession of the hon. Gentleman figures which show that they have so far cost 40 million yen and some 7 million American dollars? Can he say how much of that has to be paid by the British Government?

Mr. Mayhew

I have a note here that the expenditure borne on the Vote for law charges in cases of trials up to 31st March came to £66,663.