Mr. Winninckasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what documentary evidence has been received by Her Majesty's Government from (a) overseas Governments and (b) other sources regarding the wartime activities of Mr. Antonas Gecas; and when the Government will be reaching a conclusion of the outcome of such evidence;
(2) to what specific alleged Nazi wartime crimes the documentary evidence received by Her Majesty's Government relating to Mr. Antonas Gecas refers;
(3) what representations have been made to him seeking the extradition of Mr. Antonas Gecas for alleged Nazi wartime crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HurdOn 7 July representatives of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre gave the Department a substantial volume of documentary material in support of their allegation that Mr. Gecas had been involved in crimes of mass murder during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania. We have also examined other documents identified in the original list of names which the centre sent us last November. We are studying the recent material in order to assess the scope for further action. No request for the extradition of Mr. Gecas has been received.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances Mr. Antonas Gecas was given British citizenship; what information he gave at that time regarding his activities during the last war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdMr. Gecas was granted citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies in 1956 following an application for naturalisation under section 10(1) of the British Nationality Act 1948. The information which he344W supplied at that time will now be examined alongside the material handed to my Department on 17 July by the Simon Wisenthal centre.