HC Deb 13 December 1965 vol 722 cc902-4
27. Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Federal German Government, in a budgetary balance Bill now under consideration by the Bundestag, proposes to postpone for two years payment of a considerable part of the compensation accorded to victims of Nazi persecution, some of whom had to wait more than 20 years for the recognition of their claims; and if he will convey to the Federal German Government the feeling in this country that, on humanitarian grounds and in view of the undertakings of the Bonn/Paris Convention, the compensation payments should not be subjected to budgetary curtailment.

Mr. George Thomson

While I have every sympathy for those victims of Nazi persecution who will have to wait still longer for their compensation, the timing of the payments is a matter for the Federal German Government.

Sir B. Janner

In view of the recent agreement between our country and Western Germany about the manner in which compensation and other matters should be attended to, does not the Minister think that an act of this kind, which defers payment to people who in many cases are very old or on the verge of death and who have been waiting for over 20 years to obtain some kind of recognition, is most regrettable? Will he at least inform the Federal German Government that there are many people both in this country and elsewhere who are deeply disturbed at the action which they propose?

Mr. Thomson

I have expressed my feelings of sympathy in the matter. The Convention which my hon. Friend referred to, the Bonn-Paris Convention, does provide that the capacity of the Federal Republic to pay may be taken into consideration in determining the time and method of compensation, and, therefore, we have no formal standing in the matter.

Mr. Kershaw

Is it not unfortunate that at the first breath of economic difficulty there should be difficulty over these payments by the German Government, and will the hon. Gentleman make representations that this only prolongs episodes which are best forgotten?

Mr. Thomson

Her Majesty's Government will, of course—as always—take into account the feelings expressed in the House this afternoon, and I have no doubt that the concern which has been expressed on both sides of the House will be widely reported.