HC Deb 03 May 1965 vol 711 cc899-900
11. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has about the proposed new compensation terms for people persecuted by the Nazis on grounds of nationality, in comparison with people persecuted on grounds of race, religion or politics, and about the reasons for this continued discrimination; and what views he has expressed to the Federal German Government on this matter.

Mr. George Thomson

The draft legislation is still before the Restitution Committee of the Bundestag and precise information about the Committee's proposals will not be available until they present their report as they are expected to do soon. The Federal authorities have been made aware of the feeling in the United Kingdom on this issue and of Her Majesty's Government's sympathy for the requests made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on behalf of victims persecuted on the grounds of nationality, among others.

Sir T. Beamish

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are still some highly unsatisfactory aspects of the draft law; that, for instance, a German who suffered 25 per cent. disability in a concentration camp can make a claim, whereas a Pole or Czech must have suffered a 50 per cent. disability in a forced labour camp before they can make a claim? Is he also aware that there is noticeable unjustifiable discrimination where hereditability is concerned, and that there are very strong feelings on this subject on both sides of the House? Will he do his best to make sure that the draft law is further improved?

Mr. Thomson

Yes, Sir, I am aware of these anomalies and of the feeling on both sides of the House about the matter. We have made representations on this subject on many occasions, the last time as late as 28th April, and we hope that the Federal German Republic will take account of the representations that we have been making.

Sir B. Janner

Would my hon. Friend also take into consideration the necessity of emphasising to the German authorities the importance of ensuring that those who were unable before 1953 to lodge their claims because they were behind the Iron Curtain or were in other respects unable to do so, should have equal treatment with those who justifiably were given compensation in respect of their claims which were made before?

Mr. Thomson

That is another question. These are complicated matters, and I should be grateful if the hon. Gentleman would put the Question on the Order Paper.