HC Deb 22 February 1988 vol 128 cc21-2W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Prime Minister if, in the light of her reply to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) of 16 February,Official Report, columns 521–22, she has anything to add to her answers of 23 October and 7 November 1986 to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Prime Minister when it is expected that the inquiry into the six wartime commandos who were executed by the Nazis will be reporting; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

A report will be made to the House when the review of the results of investigations carried out in 1986 by the Ministry of Defence into the fate of captured British service men is complete. I can give no precise dates.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Prime Minister if she now proposes to find out if there were documents being held in the United Kingdom regarding Dr. Waldheim's wartime activities prior to his being appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The Prime Minister

The review into the results of the investigations carried out in 1986 by the Ministry of Defence into the fate of captured British service men will investigate this.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Prime Minister if the Yugoslav authorities have been asked if they can assist the inquiry being conducted into the position of the six wartime commandos interrogated by Lieutenant Waldheim between their capture and execution.

The Prime Minister

No. It is unlikely that the Yugoslav authorities would hold records relating to the activities of German Army Group E—Waldheim's unit—in relation to the treatment of captured British service men captured in the eastern Aegean in 1944.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Prime Minister if the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Office are now actively seeking documentation from the United States of America and any other Governments that would help to clarify the full position over what occurred at all stages to the six wartime commandos interrogated by Lieutenant Waldheim between their capture and death.

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Rhodes James) on 19 February, at column752.