HC Deb 09 March 1945 vol 408 cc2391-3
The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

With the permission of the House, I should like to make a statement. Since my right hon. Friend made his statement last Thursday the following progress has been made with the distribution of supplies from Switzerland for prisoners of war in Germany.

Thanks to the good offices of the Swiss Government and the International Red Cross Committee, on Tuesday afternoon a train of 50 wagons carrying mainly food but also some medical supplies, crossed the Swiss/German frontier bound for the neighbourhood of Moosburg, some distance North of Munich. This train has a safe conduct from the German Government and so has a convoy of 25 lorries painted white and marked with the Red Cross which crossed the Swiss/German frontier on Wednesday morning. Nineteen of these lorries were carrying food destined for the Carlsbad and Marienbad area, where we understand there is a large concentration of prisoners moved from camps in areas over-run by the Soviet forces. The other six hope to reach Lubeck with petrol and oil for two large lorries already in use by the International Red Cross Committee; they will also carry some medical supplies. Some supplies are being distributed already from Lubeck by a few railway wagons, but I have no details at present regarding the destination of these supplies.

The House will be glad to know that, at any rate during the early days of the march from the East through Northern Germany, the International Red Cross Committee were able to get food parcels distributed to some thousands of the prisoners on the march. The Government, in co-operation with the other Governments of the British Commonwealth and the Government of the United States, together with all the National Red Cross Societies concerned, will continue to lend all aid in their power to the efforts being made by the Supreme Commander and the International Red Cross Committee to bring relief to those prisoners who need it.

Sir Percy Harris

Arising out of that very satisfactory statement, can the Financial Secretary tell us whether any further consideration has been given to the use of aeroplanes for carrying these supplies, in view of the disorganisation of rail and road transport? This was mentioned in the original Question.

Mr. Henderson

I am sorry, but I am afraid I am not in a position to answer that question.

Mr. Alexander Walkden

I am sure that every one will be delighted to hear the good news which the House has just received. May I ask the Financial Secretary whether there is in mind any arrangements for sending further lorries? Thirty lorries is not very much, considering the great need of our people now in the hands of the Germans, and if more could be sent, we should be still more pleased.

Mr. Henderson

The position is that there are three more convoys of 25 lorries each, ready to move in the event of the first convoy being successful.

Mr. De Chair

Can the Financial Secretary say how soon he expects to be able to give the House any information about the 2,600 prisoners who were on their way to Odessa, and whether he has any further information about them?

Mr. Henderson

No further information has been received since my right hon. Friend made this statement about the 460 who had actually reached the transit camp in Odessa.

Miss Rathbone

Will the Minister say whether these supplies will benefit those people who are other than military or Armed Forces prisoners of war? Will they benefit civilian internees in Germany?

Mr. Henderson

The supplies are sent primarily for the benefit of those classified as prisoners of war.

Commander Prior

Could the Financial Secretary say if food supplies cannot be sent to Copenhagen from the North, where the railways are not so damaged?

Mr. Henderson

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all the aspects of the problem are under consideration.