HC Deb 01 November 1944 vol 404 c777
8. Mr. Butcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent U.N.R.R.A. has need of the services of doctors; and whether he will in consultation with the Minister of Labour and National Service, place the services of those doctors who entered this country as refugees at the disposal of that organisation.

Mr. Law

I understand that U.N.R.R.A. have appointed a Medical Liaison Officer for each of the countries in which they expect to function. It will be the duty of these Liaison Officers to assess the need for further medical personnel. It is expected that the chief need of U.N.R.R.A. for doctors will be for work with the Displaced Persons Section of the administration. Apart from work with this section, it is thought that doctors who entered this country as refugees will best be able to assist by serving in the health organisations of their own countries rather than in U.N.R.R.A. itself.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Will My right hon Friend bear in mind that many of these refugees are Jewish doctors who cannot and will not return to Germany; and cannot use be made of their ability in U.N.R.R.A.?

Mr. Law

Many of these refugees, while they may be Jews, have not come from Germany, and there is no reason to suppose they will not be able to return to their own countries.