BRITISH SECRET SERVICE (Mr. H. M. G. LAUWERS)

HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc111-2W

62. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what rank and position Mr. H. M. G. Lauwers held with his Department during 1942–43; what duties were allotted to him; and what position he now holds.

Mr. Eden

Mr. Lauwers was recruited as a W/T. operator by the Joint British-Netherlands Section of the Special Operations Executive, a now defunct organisation which, during its lifetime, was under the direction of the Minister of Economic Warfare.

In late 1941 he was parachuted into Holland and captured by the Germans.

I understand that Mr. Lauwers is a Netherlands national, and I am unaware of the position he now holds.

63. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British official witnesses were refused permission to give evidence before a Parliamentary Commission held at The Hague and presided over by the present Dutch Minister of Justice, to inquire into alleged neglect on the part of the British Secret Service.

Mr. Eden

His late Majesty's Government welcomed the Netherlands official inquiry and while it is true that no British official witnesses attended the hearings of the Netherlands Parliamentary Commission at The Hague, representatives of the Commission were invited to London, where arrangements were made for them to meet and question British officials concerned.

64. Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that during 1942–43, 54 British agents fell into German hands, 47 of whom were subsequently executed at Mauthausen, through the deception perpetrated on the British Secret Service by Lieutenant H. M. G. Lauwers, a British Secret Service agent; and what action was taken on this matter.

Mr. Eden

The figures given by the hon. Member are, so far as I am aware, substantially correct, though I cannot accept the implication of the responsibility of Mr. Lauwers. Appropriate action was taken immediately on discovery of the deception perpetrated by the Germans.

I understand that the matter was the subject of a full inquiry at the time. After the war further inquiries were conducted by the British and Netherlands authorities.