§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures have been taken since 1997 to ensure that alleged or indicted Nazi war criminals(a) have not visited and (b) are not now in the UK. [74744]
§ Beverley HughesNo measures aimed specifically at alleged or indicted Nazi war criminals have been put in place since 1997. In our White Paper, Secure Borders, Safe Haven, the Government has made clear its intention to strengthen its ability to deal with suspected and convicted war criminals by
Up-dating relevant immigration and nationality legislationEnsuring better co-ordination between the Home Office and all other Departments and agencies who have an interest in this area.Work is currently underway to achieve both of these commitments.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the UK Public Records to identify alleged or indicted Nazi war criminals living in the UK. [74745]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe have no present plans to conduct a general review of public records to identify Nazi war criminals. However, the police will continue to consult public records where necessary to help them investigate individual cases.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements have been made in international collaboration and exchanges of information between Government authorities, law enforcement agencies and archive centres on alleged or indicted Nazi war criminals since 1997. [74746]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthIn June 2002, the European Union agreed to set up a network of contact points to exchange information to help investigate and prosecute suspected war criminals. A further instrument is being negotiated which would facilitate the exchange by Member States of information on war crimes held by their immigration authorities, to assist criminal investigations.
In addition, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is developing increasing links with authorities in other countries enabling the informal exchange of information about war criminals generally.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contacts he maintains with Government agencies in Eastern Europe and South America about alleged or indicted Nazi war criminals living in the UK. [74751]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThere are no regular contacts with authorities in those countries concerning Nazi war criminals living in the United Kingdom. However, the police have visited Eastern Europe as necessary when investigating individual cases, and European Union enlargement will bring a number of Eastern European countries into the European Union's arrangements for exchanging information on war criminals.