HC Deb 05 May 1969 vol 783 cc18-9
20. Mr. Norwood

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will take the appropriate steps to ensure that all war criminals in Berlin are prosecuted, regardless of the time at which the crimes occurred; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The German authorities in Berlin have been taking appropriate steps to ensure that war criminals in Berlin are prosecuted, and we are confident that they will continue to do so.

Mr. Norwood

May I interpret that remark as being a guarantee that no matter how far ahead it may be, in view of the nature of some of these crimes, the persons concerned will be sought out and, when found, prosecuted?

Mr. Roberts

I am glad to say that the Federal Government and the Berlin Senate are taking steps which I hope will be effective to extend the Statute of Limitations in this regard. The extradition of a criminal of this kind depends upon the result of an application from the country concerned to the country in which the criminal is resident.