§ 46. Mr. Pickthornasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, by what means the British military authorities have satisfied themselves before forcibly repatriating Yugoslav nationals that the said Yugoslavs have borne arms for the Germans.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)It is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to repatriate forcibly Yugoslav nationals who do not wish to return to Yugoslavia. If the hon. Member has any specific case in mind and will supply me with particulars, I will have further inquiries made.
§ Mr. PickthornDoes the hon. Gentleman suggest that this has not happened or has happened only in isolated cases?
§ Mr. HyndI have said that it is not the policy of the Government, and that if any such cases had come to our notice action would certainly have been taken. As I have indicated, if the hon. Member has any information I should be glad to receive it, and to take any necessary action.
§ Mr. BoothbyDoes that reply cover countries other than Yugoslavia?
§ Mr. HyndIt obviously covers countries other than Yugoslavia, but whether the Question refers to displaced persons or prisoners of war is not clear in the Question, nor is the venue of the cases which the hon. Member has in mind, if any.
§ Mr. PickthornThe hon. Gentleman asks for the supply of information. May I ask whether he is being supplied with information by the War Office, to whom this Question was originally put down? What does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster know about it?
§ Mr. HyndI have had no information about this particular case, and I would be only too glad to have this information.
§ Mr. PickthornThe hon. Member can get it on the telephone from the War Office.