HC Deb 26 July 1944 vol 402 cc739-40
1. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the repatriation of 800 British civilian internees from French camps has been held up.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

Some 400 persons arrived in Spain on 21st July in the first convoy of trains and are now on board the exchange ship at Lisbon. I have no definite information with regard to the whereabouts of the second convoy and am awaiting reports from His Majesty's Representatives in Switzerland and Portugal. I imagine that the delay in the passage of the first convoy across France was due to the effects of the Allied air offensive and of the activities of the French Forces of the Interior upon the French railway communications.

Mr. Granville

As this was an exchange, can the right hon. Gentleman say what has happened to the German civilians who are to be exchanged?

Mr. Eden

I think they are waiting, too.