§ 39. Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what applications he has received from the West German Government for permission to study the captured biographical studies of the Nazi period in the joint possession of the allied Powers; and what reply has been given to these applications.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNone, Sir. I would refer the hon. Lady to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to her on 10th February. The captured biographical records of the Nazi period are in the Berlin Documents Centre which is under the sole control of the United States authorities.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that last week in West Berlin there was an exhibition of documents which seemed to show that 43 leading judges and lawyers from West Germany had been serving with 829 great brutality in Nazi courts, and that that exhibition was closed under pressure from the West German Government? Would not that Government be much better employed in trying to get at the truth so as to establish greater confidence in this country in its belief in democracy?
§ Mr. LloydThat supplementary question does not arise out of the Question which I was asked. I was asked about the obligations of Her Majesty's Government and I pointed out that these documents, in the Berlin Documents Centre, were under the sole control of the United States Government. I think that there is another Question about investigations about former Nazis. Investigations are taking place when there is any evidence. One thing which I find a little odd about this matter is that there are never any allegations about former Nazis in office in East Germany.