§ 33. Mrs. Castleasked the Lord Privy Seal what conditions were attached to the release of ex-Admiral Doenitz from Spandau Prison in 1956.
§ Mrs. CastleIn view of the recent speech by Admiral Doenitz to German students in Schleswig-Holstein, ought there not to have been? Is this Nazi warmonger to be allowed to stir up pro-Hitler and anti-British feeling among German youth? Will the right hon. 920 Gentleman make representations on this point immediately to the Federal Government?
§ Mr. HeathThe International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg sentenced Admiral Doenitz to ten years' imprisonment, which he served in full. It did not impose any restriction on his subsequent activities. It is not for me to say, in answer to the hon. Lady, what the Tribunal should have done. The plain fact is that Admiral Doenitz served his full sentence and was then released as a free man in a free country. What is important is that the immediate reaction of public opinion and the Press to the speech in the Federal Republic has been hostile, which is a very good indication of the strength of democratic freedom in the Republic.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy is the right hon. Gentleman so lenient and liberal in sentiment towards these ex-Nazi criminals and so lacking in liberal sentiment towards East Germans?
§ Mr. HeathI am stating a matter of fact as to what the International Tribunal did. It sentenced Admiral Doenitz to ten years' imprisonment, which was served in full. No conditions were imposed by the Tribunal for after his release. That is a matter of fact.
§ Mrs. CastleWas not the reaction of Doenitz's young audience not one of hostility but of vociferous applause? Is this not a cause of great anxiety to all those who fear the recurrence of Fascism in Europe today? In view of this, will not the right hon. Gentleman raise this matter with the Federal Government?
§ Mr. HeathThe school has been much criticised for its invitation to Admiral Doenitz to speak. The speech has been condemned by Press and public opinion in the Federal Republic.