HC Deb 04 June 1946 vol 423 c313W
140. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Attorney-General the approximate date when all the European war criminals will have been tried and sentenced; and the estimated number of such criminals involved.

The Attorney-General

The present trial of major war criminals at Nuremberg is expected to end in the course of the next two months, but as a great deal depends on the conduct of the defence, a matter which is outside the control of the prosecution, it is impossible to give any firm estimate. The question whether a further trial of major war criminals should take place is now under consideration between the four Powers concerned under the terms of the Charter of the International Military Tribunal.

It is impossible yet to say by what date all British trials in respect of what are known as minor war criminals will have been completed. Two hundred and eighty-four such cases have been dealt with, and others are in progress. Cases against 327 minor war criminals are either in process of trial or are awaiting trial. In addition evidence is being collected in a considerable number of cases and the total numbers involved will depend on the progress of these investigations and the apprehension of wanted war criminals still at large.