HL Deb 27 March 1973 vol 340 cc976-7

2.50 p.m.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in the course of their negotiations with the German Democratic Republic they will make representations to that Government for reparation to be made to persons, communities and organisations where personal injuries and/or loss or damage to property were sustained by them in East Germany as victims of Nazi persecution.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, we raised the general question of compensation for victims of Nazi persecution during recent talks with officials of the German Democratic Republic on establishing diplomatic relations. It was decided that both Governments would, at a time Ito be agreed, enter into negotiations for the settlement of financial and property problems still outstanding between the two States, and that each Government would be entitled to raise any questions.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her reply. May I ask her whether in this respect she agrees that we should set an example by urging other nations concerned, as well as ourselves, to make it clear to the German Democratic Republic that they have not paid a penny piece in reparations to those victims who were subjected to unspeakable horrors? There are still well over one million Nazis in the East German Democratic Republic who participated in these crimes. In the circumstances, this is a major issue and it would be unbelievable that the position should not be dealt with by them in the same way as the West Germans have done.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, our own responsibility is for United Kingdom nationals. We hope that the German Democratic Republic will recognise its obligations to compensate victims of Nazi persecution irrespective of their nationality.