§ 44. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Allied Commission has not yet reported on the rate at which expelled Germans can be received into occupied Germany, what action he has taken with the Governments of Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary on the decisions to expel 4,500,000 Germans at the rate of 30,000 a day, commencing on 15th October.
Mr. McNeilMy right hon. Friend still has no official knowledge of any decision to expel 4,500,000 Germans, nor has he of the reports in this morning's Press of expulsions contemplated by the Soviet authorities, but he has called for immediate report upon both these points.
§ Mr. StokesAs the matter is so very urgent, may I ask my hon. Friend whether, in view of the fact that the Russian Government could obviously stop these deportations if they so chose, he will assure the House that the strongest possible representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Russian Government in this respect?
Mr. McNeilWhile my right hon. Friend would not wish to appear unsympathetic, I must point out that we cannot, lacking official confirmation, accept the implications in my hon. Friend's supplementary question.
§ Captain GammansIs it a fact or not that 500,000 people are being dumped in the British zone?
Mr. McNeilAs I have already explained, we have no information on this subject and I could not accept that as a fact.
§ Mr. StokesIn view of the tragic situation, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter once more on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.