HC Deb 20 November 1950 vol 481 c32
54. Mr. Astor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether investigations into war crimes committed during the last war have now be concluded.

Mr. Ernest Davies

No investigations of this nature are now being undertaken by His Majesty's Government except such as may be necessary for the consideration of requests from other Governments for the surrender of alleged war criminals.

Mr. Astor

In the interests of historical accuracy, would the Under-Secretary like to modify the statement made in the House in 1945 which attached the blame for the Katyn murders in Poland to the Germans, and not the Russians?

Mr. Davies

No, Sir. In view of the lapse of time and the circumstances, His Majesty's Government really could not associate themselves with any future inquiries in this matter.

Mr. Astor

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government are on record as making a statement attaching responsibility for these murders to the Germans, which, in view of the subsequent evidence, is probably extremely inaccurate? Is not this an opportunity to put on record a more accurate statement?

Mr. Davies

That is another question, of which I would like notice.