HC Deb 11 February 1953 vol 511 cc30-1W
Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date or dates the papers, documents, secret wireless messages to and from British agents employed by Special Operations Executive were destroyed; how many of these papers and documents in total were destroyed; and what was the reason for the hurried destruction of these documents in view of the request of the Netherlands Government to have them for their Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into alleged neglect on the part of the officials connected with that department.

Mr. Nutting

When the Special Operations Executive was wound up at the end of the war, it was necessary to deal with the voluminous records and documents amassed during its lifetime. Only those documents not considered necessary for the maintenance of official records were destroyed.

It is not now possible to say, without disproportionate research, on what date or dates the destruction took place, nor how many documents were destroyed. I have no reason to think that their destruction was hurried or that any request for them had been received from the Netherlands Government at the relevant time.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that 25 agents working for Special Operations Executive during,the last war were dropped into the hands of the German counter espionage in Belgium; what happened to these men; what were their names and rank; and what inquiry was held into the cause of this mistake.

Mr. Nutting

During the war a number of operations to parachute agents into Belgium were undertaken by the Special Operations Executive. Some of these were unsuccessful as a result of a variety of causes including, on occasion, the activities of the German counter-espionage service.

A number of the agents concerned were arrested and some of these were executed. I am not, however, prepared to disclose the names and ranks.

In all cases of doubt in regard to the outcome of operations a full Departmental inquiry was always held and appropriate action taken.