§ 42. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the name of the German who was the author of Protocol "M"; if he was a former member of the Nazi party; and if he is to be brought for trial.
§ Mr. MayhewThe answer is, "No, Sir."
§ Mr. HughesIs the Under-Secretary aware that a reputable paper, the "Yorkshire Post," has published a leading article describing the publication of this document as a calamity to this country; and does he not think that a full statement to this House would reassure the people that we are not just carrying on Dr. Goebbels' propaganda, and that though the doctor is dead his soul does not go marching on?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir, I do not think Dr. Goebbels ever paid so much attention to securing truth in these matters as we have done.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWhen my hon. Friend says that the answer to the Question is "No, Sir," does he mean that he does not know the name of the author of Protocol "M," or that he will not give it, or that the author is not a former member of the Nazi party, or that the author is not to be brought to trial.
§ Mr. MayhewI mean that we will not give the name of the German, that he was not a former member of the Nazi party, and that he will not be brought to trial.
§ Mr. SilvermanAre we then to assume that my hon. Friend knows the name but will not give it?
§ Mr. MayhewIt is true that we know the name of the German but, as we have already said, we cannot be certain he is the author of Protocol "M." In these circumstances, we cannot assume his guilt, and we do not, therefore, wish to expose him or his relatives to possible reprisals.