§ 2. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can report any progress in the scheme for the repatriation of prisoners of war who have been a long time in captivity.
§ Mr. EdenI regret that I cannot report any substantial progress in this matter. His Majesty's Government had hoped that a first exchange of this kind could have been carried out at the end of March, the date mentioned in their proposal. It is 1801 clear from the reply which has now been received from the German Government that no early agreement is possible and we have been informed that in any case the German High Command would require eight weeks' notice in order to make the necessary arrangements.
§ Sir A. KnoxWhile recognising the great difficulty in which my right hon. Friend finds himself in this matter, is there any suggestion he can make in order to speed up this matter, in view of the terrible anxiety of relatives at the long period these men have been in captivity?
§ Mr. EdenMy hon. and gallant Friend will know that the military events themselves are having two effects. First, they generally make communications extremely difficult on the German side, and, second, they are, happily, liberating a number of prisoners. The figures so far, I think, are about 3,000 freed by the Red Army from the East and about 7,000 from the West.
§ Mr. McGovernCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any progress is being made in the negotiations with Japan in relation to the liberation of prisoners?
§ Mr. EdenI shall be obliged if the hon. Member will put down that question, as I would like to give a detailed answer.