§ 56. Mr. John Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Germans are still held in the British Zone by or on behalf of the occupation authorities and under sentence of death.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir.
§ 57. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a large number of Germans are still, after a period of years, held in custody under sentence of death in Western Germany; and whether he will instruct the British High Commissioner to discuss this situation with the Allied Control Commission with a view to these prisoners being dealt with under existing Western German law, which does not recognise the death penalty.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesI am aware of these reports which do not, however, relate to the British zone. Each High Commissioner is responsible in his zone for these matters.
§ Mr. HyndIn view of the fact that we are part of the tri-partite High Commission for Western Germany, and in view of the very strong feeling which exists in Western Germany about this situation, is it not possible for the Minister to make representations to his colleagues about it?
§ Mr. DaviesI have looked into this most carefully, in view of my hon. Friend's question, but it is not within our competence to make any representations to the other Occupying Powers in this matter.