§ 14. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Field Marshal Von Manstein has been appointed to an important office in the German Defence Ministry; and, in view of his previous war record, what 1402 steps will be taken by Her Majesty's Government to prevent his obtaining information through the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of allied planning.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe answer to the first part of the Question is that Von Manstein is not an official of the Federal Defence Ministry. I understand that, together with other former high officers, he was appointed by the Bundestag Defence Committee to give the Committee professional advice on military legislation at present before the Federal Parliament, and that in that capacity he neither requires nor sees classified North Atlantic Treaty Organisation documents. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. JannerWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries? Is he aware that a report in a responsible newspaper stated that this war criminal was to have the task of preparing a defence report for Germany? Is it not essential for him to have access to N.A.T.O. documents for that purpose? What steps will the right hon. Gentleman take, if that is the case, to see that he does not have access to those documents in view of his previous record?
§ Mr. LloydIf the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of the allegation which he mentions. I will certainly look into it.