§ 3. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War how many German Field Marshals, Generals and Admirals, against whom no charges are pending, are still being detained by us as prisoners of war; whether any of these have been offered release on parole, and in view of the time which has elapsed since the cessation of hostilities whether he will now arrange for the release of all such officers.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe answer to the first part of the Question is 76. These officers have not been offered release on parole. They will be repatriated under the ordinary arrangements when their turn comes round.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it not quite unprecedented to keep these officers in captivity so long after hostilities have ceased, and may it not recoil on our own heads in some future war if we do not happen to be the victors?
§ Mr. ShinwellI should not care to offer an opinion as to what might happen in a future war, if ever there is one. We are endeavouring to deal with these cases as rapidly as possible.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it not very discreditable to this country to keep these officers—very distinguished officers—in captivity all this time after the end of hostilities? Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question whether there is any precedent for such action by any country in the past?
§ Mr. ShinwellPossibly not; but there is very little precedent of which I am aware for a situation of this kind.
§ 5. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War the number of German officers who are prisoners in British hands and against whom charges of any kind are still pending, and whether he will either cause any such officers to be immediately brought to trial, or in event of sufficient evidence against them not being forthcoming, whether he will give instructions for their immediate release.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs the reply is necessarily rather long, I will, with permission. circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Thirty-five persons who were formerly commissioned officers in the German Army, Navy or Air Force, or in the S.S., against whom war crimes charges are pending, are held by my Department. There are also a number of former German officers charged with crimes against humanity or with membership of the organisations declared illegal by the Nuremberg judgment, who are in the custody of the Control Commission for Germany; others are held in British custody at the request of an Ally pending trial by that power. War crimes trials are proceeding as fast as possible, but the trial of some cases is necessarily held over for lack of court space; two further courts are being built; many of the persons held are involved in intricate cases, the investigation of which inevitably takes a considerable time. If sufficient evidence to justify trial of any of them is not forthcoming they will be disposed of according to their category.