§ 27 and 28. Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what documents Her Majesty's Government still have in their possession concerning people who held high office in the Nazi Party or Government of Germany prior to 1945; and to what extent they are prepared to permit public access to these documents;
(2) until what date documents concerning the pre-1945 activities of people 454 holding high office in the Nazi Party or Government of Germany were in the sole possession of the war-time Allied Powers; and when these were made available by Her Majesty's Government to the West German Government.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe Americans captured practically all biographical records of the Nazi period which survived the war. Such documents of this sort as fell into British hands were of relatively minor importance. They have at various times been handed over to the United States authorities to be incorporated in the main collection. None of this material has been handed over to the Federal German Government; it is in the sole possession of the United States Government.
§ Mrs. CastleCan the Minister tell the House whether it is a fact that as joint allies in this operation this country's Government have joint ownership of these documents? Will he, therefore, make representations to the American Government to ensure that anyone who wants to do serious research into these archives, including any representatives of the West German Government or of bodies in West Germany who are trying to trace some of the Nazi activities of persons at present in high places in Germany, will be given facilities for such research?
§ Mr. ProfumoI understand that it is United States policy not to provide any information from these documents except—
§ Mr. ProfumoI have not quite finished—except in answer to requests made through official channels, and I think that is right.
§ Mrs. CastleWhen the hon. Gentleman refers to requests being made through official channels, may we take it that if the West German Government made such a request, access would be given? Should not such facilities be extended to other reputable bodies inside Germany which might want to be more active on this question than the West German Government? Is it not intolerable that evidence regarding the wartime and Hitlerite activities of certain people in high places in Germany at the moment should be withheld? Is not this an international matter?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am afraid I cannot go all the way with the hon. Lady. I think our present arrangements are reasonable.
§ Mrs. CastleIn view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.