HC Deb 03 June 1986 vol 98 c427W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, pursuant to the answer of the Lord Privy Seal of 22 May to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West, any of the documents listed as missing from the Public Records Office cited in the Prime Minister's answer of 19 May relate directly or indirectly to Dr. Kurt Waldheim.

Mr. Freeman

Pursuant to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of 19 May to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West, it is not the practice to disclose any part of the contents of records retained with the approval of the Lord Chancellor under the Public Records Acts.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he has any information as to British prisoners of war interrogated by German Army group E while Dr. Kurt Waldheim was a senior staff officer in charge of interrogation other than those referred to him for inquiry by the Lord Privy Seal and as identified by the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West on 22 May;

(2) whether he will complete his inquiry into the interrogation and subsequent fate of British prisoners of war by German Army group E, while Dr. Kurt Waldheim was senior staff officer in charge of interrogation, by 3 June;

(3) whether he will make a statement concerning the identities and fate of British prisoners of war interrogated by German Army group E while Dr. Kurt Waldheim was a senior staff officer in charge of interrogation and concerning Dr. Kurt Waldheim's part in such interrogation and, in particular, in the deaths and disappearance of such service men following their interrogation.

Mr. Freeman

The research into Ministry of Defence records continues as a matter of urgency, and it would not be appropriate to make any statement until it is completed. It has not, however, been possible to complete it by 3 June.