§ 35. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Attorney-General how many trials of war criminals have been conducted by the law officers; and how many death sentences have been passed on them.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe only trial of war criminals in which a Law Officer took part was the trial of German major war criminals at Nuremberg, at which the right hon. and learned Member for St. Helens (Sir H. Shawcross) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary appeared.
As regards the second part of the Question, I presume that, notwithstanding its wording, it refers to war criminals and not to the Law Officers. Twelve sentences of death were passed at the trial at Nuremberg.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Attorney-General aware that the Prime Minister has expressed the opinion that it was a mistake to try, and hang, Prime Minister Tojo of Japan on the ground that it was an undesirable precedent? Would he also tell us if there is any proposal to give any compensation to the widow of this gentleman?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am unable to answer either of those questions. I do not think that they have much to do with the previous Law Officers.