HC Deb 13 July 1948 vol 453 cc996-7
3. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether repatriation of prisoners of war from this country has now been completed except for those who have volunteered to stay; and how many were repatriated from the Middle East during the month of June.

Mr. Shinwell

Repatriation of German prisoners of war from this country was completed yesterday, except for a small number of invalids and others. Approximately 4,750 German prisoners of war were repatriated from the Middle East during June.

Mr. Hector Hughes

With regard to those who volunteer to stay in the country, what facilities are offered to them to acquire British nationality and be absorbed into the industrial life of this country?

Mr. Shinwell

I do not see anything about that in the Question.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's figure for repatriation from the Middle East means that all these men will have gone by the end of September, or some near date?

Mr. Shinwell

Offhand, I should think there must be some remaining.