Home Department

Lord Herbert of South Downs Excerpts

Thursday 13th October 2011 Ministerial Corrections

[Mr Offord]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints against British citizens alleged to have been active Wachmänner guards during the Second World War her Department has received in the last five years.

[Official Report, 5 April 2011, Vol. 526, c. 809W.]

Letter of correction from Nick Herbert:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr Offord) on 5 April 2011.

The full answer given as follows:

[Nick Herbert]

We have no record of any such complaints being received.

The investigation of criminal offences, including those under the War Crimes Act 1991, is an operational matter. Arrangements are in place within the Metropolitan police service for investigating allegations of war crimes in liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and other agencies as appropriate. All agencies take the investigation of war crimes seriously and these arrangements remain under review to ensure that they continue to be effective.

The correct answer should have been:

[Nick Herbert]

In the last five years, the Home Department has received one complaint in respect of alleged Wachmänner guards.

The investigation of criminal offences, including those under the War Crimes Act 1991, is an operational matter. Arrangements are in place within the Metropolitan Police Service for investigating allegations of war crimes in liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and other agencies as appropriate. All agencies take the investigation of war crimes seriously and these arrangements remain under review to ensure that they continue to be effective.