HC Deb 07 February 1951 vol 483 cc1720-1
22. Dr. King

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent American release of leading Nazi war criminals, he will make clear that His Majesty's Government does not intend to release leading Nazis under its control before they have served the sentences passed upon them.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Yes, Sir. It is the general intention of His Majesty's Government that all war criminals for whose detention they are responsible shall serve their sentences, account being taken of normal remissions for good conduct.

Dr. King

Is my hon. Friend bearing in mind that any reduction in the sentences on Nazi war criminals is not only morally wrong, but a political act fraught with grave implications that will do more harm against democracy than months of Communist propaganda?

Mr. Davies

We are responsible only for those war criminals who are in the British zone. As has been stated, a review is taking place, but a review does not necessarily mean that there will be any alteration in the sentences.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Does the statement of my hon. Friend mean that the Government does not agree with the statement of the High Commissioner in a recent speech that there was no sentence he was not prepared to review, having regard to the changed circumstances? If so, and if that statement is repudiated and our policy is different, does not he consider that an attempt might be made to co-ordinate our policy in these matters of general world-wide interest with other nations with whom we are associated?

Mr. Davies

The fact that the High Commissioner stated that he was willing to review all these cases does not affect the fact that the review does not necessarily mean there will be any alteration in the sentences. As regards the question of action taken by the other occupying Powers, they are acting entirely within their own rights; we have no right of interference with what the Americans or the French chose to do in this matter.

Mr. J. Langford-Holt

While accepting the remark of the hon. Gentleman that the other occupying Powers are acting entirely within their rights, may I ask whether there was any consultation with His Majesty's Government before their action was taken?

Mr. Davies

There was no consultation about the decision arising from the review in the American zone. The High Commissioner was consulted by the Americans to the effect that they asked whether the release of the property of Krupps would cause any administrative difficulty in the British zone. But there was no consultation about the review of sentences.

Mr. Janner

Will my hon. Friend reconsider this matter very carefully; particularly in view of the fact that he is now trying to get a Convention of Human Rights established and that this kind of review is apt to give an entirely wrong impression as to how we regard the violation of human rights?

Mr. Davies

This matter arises out of the recent review now under consideration; but I would repeat what I said in reply to a Question recently, that where crimes have been committed against humanity there will be no revision.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

We cannot debate this matter further.