§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War how many Germans have been executed since 15 May, 1945, for crimes against British subjects committed in Germany before that date; and whether he will issue monthly statements reporting progress in punishing war criminals.
§ Mr. LawsonNo executions of Germans for war crimes against British subjects have so far been carried out. As the House is aware, the trials of major war criminals are to be held before the International Military Tribunal at Nuremburg. Trials of minor war criminals are dealt with by British Military Courts, and one such case, relating to Belsen Camp, is now in progress. Others are in preparation and a small number are ready for trial. Commands have been instructed to deal with them as expeditiously as possible. I will consider the issue of periodical statements of progress in cases dealt with by British military courts for the trial of war criminals, but I do not think that the issue of a monthly statement would be justified.