§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD DE L'ISLE AND DUDLEYMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to the sentence of death passed upon Marshal Kesselring, the Commander of the German Forces in the field in Italy during the late war, and whether they have any statement to make.]
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, the trial by military court in Venice of Marshal Kesselring, after a sixty days' hearing, ended on May 6, 1947. The transcript of the shorthand note of the proceedings of trial has not yet been completed. As announced in court, the findings and sentence are subject to confirmation, and no decision will be taken by the confirming officer until the Judge Advocate-General has considered and advised him upon the proceedings. The matter is therefore still sub judice.
§ LORD DE L'ISLE AND DUDLEYWhile thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I ask for an assurance that there will be an adequate interval between the decision of the reviewing authority, if adverse, and the execution of the sentence? Apart from purely judicial considerations, matters of high and important public policy are involved.
§ LORD HENDERSONI will bring the representation of the noble Lord to the attention of my right honourable friend.