HC Deb 10 February 1948 vol 447 cc202-3
41. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now completed his investigation into the incident at Walsrode, Hanover, in October, 1947, which culminated in the beating-up, during an interrogation lasting from 2.30 a.m. to 5.15 a.m., of a 20-year-old student, Herr Werner Kleindienst; and if he will make a full statement.

Mr. Shinwell

A full investigation has been made into this affair. There is evidence of undesirable methods having been employed in the course of the interrogation, and disciplinary action has been taken against the officer and noncommissioned officers concerned.

Mr. Driberg

Could my right hon. Friend say what that disciplinary action consisted of, and will he also take steps to make it widely known in the district that such action has been taken, in the interests of showing the German people concerned that justice does operate?

Mr. Shinwell

Without specifying the actual nature of the disciplinary action, it is certainly not to the officer's advantage.

Mr. Driberg

Could my right hon. Friend answer the second part of my supplementary question?

Mr. Stokes

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this internment camp has taken the place of Bad Nenndorf?

Mr. Shinwell

It is not the same thing.

Mr. Vane

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what was the purpose of this interrogation, and who was conducting it?

Mr. Shinwell

As regards the purpose of the interrogation, it was because of an incident which occurred—as contained in the Question—in Hanover in October, 1947, which culminated, it is alleged, in the beating up of the prisoner. As regards who conducted the investigation, I have no information before me as to that, but, no doubt, it was conducted by a proper authority.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Will my right hon. Friend consider the undesirability of leaving this officer and these men in charge in any capacity at all in Germany, and will he bring them back and give them jobs in this country? They are quite unfit to be in charge of Germans.

Mr. Shinwell

Obviously, if they are unfit to be in charge of Germans, they are unfit to be in charge of anybody. The fact is that the treatment has been very summary in character, and I imagine it will have a salutary effect.

Mr. Driberg

Would my right hon. Friend be good enough to answer the second part of my supplementary question, which was, will he make this widely known in the neighbourhood concerned, so that it may be seen that justice is done?

Mr. Shinwell

I imagine that Questions and answers in the House of Commons are published in Germany.

Mr. Vane

Even though the Minister cannot tell us anything about the interrogation, can he tell us about the incident?

Mr. Shinwell

If the hon. Member wants a full report, I can no doubt put it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I will look into the possibility, though I cannot make any definite promise.

Mr. Benn Levy

Would my right hon. Friend say what reason there can be for withholding from the House the nature of the disciplinary action taken?

Mr. Shinwell

I will also look into that.