§ Mr. G. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recommendations he has received from the Japanese Government for clemency to war criminals in accordance with the terms of Article 11 of the Japanese Peace Treaty: and what reply he has made.
§ Mr. NuttingIn accordance with their rights under Article 11 of the Japanese Peace Treaty, the Japanese Government have made recommendations to Her Majesty's Government for clemency both to major and to minor war criminals. Under the Peace Treaty the power to grant clemency to Class A criminals, that is major war criminals, rests with the 275W majority of the Governments represented on the International Military tribunal for the Far East, which sentenced them. Her Majesty's Government have, therefore, replied that this matter is for consideration between the Governments concerned.
As far as minor war criminals are concerned, the power to grant clemency rests with the Government or Governments which imposed the sentence. The Japanese Government have been informed that Her Majesty's Government cannot entertain any general request for clemency but that they will examine individual recommendations on their merits. In this Her Majesty's Government are acting in concert with the Commonwealth and other Governments concerned.