HC Deb 20 October 1954 vol 531 cc188-9W
Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in HANSARD a list of the people who were convicted and sentenced as war criminals in Germany, a résumé of the charges and sentences awarded in each case; how many of these have been released on completion of their sentences and how many have been released before completion of their sentences; what were the reasons in each of the latter cases for their early release; and whether he will give details of how many of these former war criminals are now employed either directly or indirectly by the British and in what positions they are so employed.

Mr. Turton

The collection of the information requested in the first two paragraphs of the Question would entail a very great expenditure of time and labour on the part of the staff of the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Germany. In present circumstances, I could not agree to authorise this additional work.

As regards the last two paragraphs of the Question, clemency is exercised on the merits of each case and I cannot give the reasons for its exercise in any particular case. I am not aware that any former war criminals are employed by the British authorities in Germany.