HC Deb 05 May 1958 vol 587 cc843-4
40. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the first and most recent date upon which he approached the West German Government concerning the investigations which that Government are making into allegations that former Nazi judges and prosecutors are being re-employed in their former positions.

Mr. Ian Harvey

This question was first discussed with the Federal German authorities on 5th July last year. It has since been discussed at frequent intervals with the German authorities. The last occasion was on 2nd May.

Mr. Lewis

Can the hon. Gentleman give us some idea how long it will take to conclude an investigation such as this? It now appears that it has been going on for ten months. The matter was first raised in this House in May last year when the Minister then promised that he would take action. Why did it take him from May until July before he "got cracking" in the matter? When does he expect to be able to give us some positive reply to the numerous questions which were put, mainly from this side of the House, by Members interested in the matter?

Mr. Harvey

With regard to the statement so colloquially put about the Minister "getting cracking", that is not accurate. Continuous contacts have been made with Bonn on this subject, and while I sympathise with the hon. Gentleman about the length of these discussions, they are, after all, complicated and require considerable investigation by the German Government.

Mr. Paget

Are the Government making similar inquiries about the employment of ex-Nazis by the East German Government?

Mr. Harvey

No, Sir.