§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests he has had in each year since 1979 to extradite persons residing in the United Kingdom to face charges of alleged war crimes; how many extraditions have taken place; what steps he plans to take to investigate such allegations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdSince 1979 the United Kingdom has received three requests from the Soviet Union for the extradition of people accused of war crimes. In 1986 two requests were received, one relating to a person who had died and the other to a person whose whereabouts were unknown. One request has been received this year. However, in the absence of an extradition treaty it is not possible to extradite to the Soviet Union. We are examining documentary material provided to us by the Simon Wiesenthal centre which contains serious allegations about the wartime activities of three people. In the light of our assessment of this material we shall consider what action is open to us.