§ Lord Mayhewasked Her Majesty's Government:
What contacts they have had with the United States Government regarding the extradition of suspected war criminals; how many such suspects have been extradited from the United States, and with what results.
Earl FerrersThe War Crimes Inquiry received substantial assistance from the United States authorities during the course of its work. The United States passed legislation in 1978 which gave powers for the deprivation of US citizenship and removal of Nazi war criminals already resident in the United States. Since that time between 27 and 30 alleged war criminals have been deported or have left the United States of their own volition. Deportation may result in criminal proceedings in the country to which the alleged war criminal is deported, including in one case the execution of the death penalty following trial and conviction in the USSR.
§ Lord Mayhewasked Her Majesty's Government:
What contacts they have had with the Australian Government relating to the prosecution of war criminals; how many suspects have been charged in Australian courts since 1988, and with what results; and
74WAWhat contacts they have had with the Canadian Government relating to the prosecution of war criminals; how many suspects have been charged in Canadian courts since 1988, and with what results.
Earl FerrersThe War Crimes Inquiry received assistance from the Australian and Canadian authorities in the course of its work. The British Government have since afforded the two countries some access to the inquiry's papers, and have been kept informed of the progress of cases under their respective war crimes legislation.
One suspect has been charged in Australia: the case has come to trial but has since been suspended because of the defendant's health. A High Court ruling is awaited on a defence challenge to the constitutional validity of the legislation.
The Canadian authorities have charged four persons with war crimes. One, in proceedings instituted prior to 1988, has been acquitted, although the case is subject to appeal by the Crown. Of the others, the charges have been dropped in one case because of insufficiency of evidence; another is still awaiting trial; and in the fourth the Department of Justice is awaiting a ruling on an application to strip the person concerned of Canadian citizenship.
§ Lord Mayhewasked Her Majesty's Government:
During which years since the end of the Second World War it has been the policy of a British Government to track down war criminals with a view to their prosecution or extradition; and which year the last suspected war criminal was extradited or prosecuted by a British Government.
Earl FerrersBritish policy in respect of suspected war criminals in the British occupied zone of Germany where courts stopped hearing trials in 1949 was described in the report of the War Crimes Inquiry. It was not then thought that any war criminals could have taken refuge in this country, and that remained the position until the circulation of the allegations which led to the establishment of the War Crimes Inquiry in 1988. No prosecutions for alleged war crimes have taken place in this country, nor are we aware of any individuals having been extradited in connection with such offences.