HC Deb 26 November 1945 vol 416 cc871-2
11. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state in general terms the method to be employed by the Allied Control Council in carrying out the planned expulsion of 6,500,000 persons from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Austria, starting in December, so as to conform to the Potsdam Declaration that these expulsions must be carried out in an orderly and humane manner.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)

The plan envisaged at Potsdam for the orderly and humane transfer of German populations, has now been completed and approved by the Allied Control Council. The rate of transfer is to be gradual and such as to minimise hardship. For example in the next three months wily 20 per cent, of the total number will be transferred and transfers will extend altogether over seven months subject to weather and transport conditions. Transfers will be suspended if weather conditions necessitate it. The Russian and British camps are located side by side on the inter-Zone border. The camps in the British Zone will be staffed by Germans under British supervision. The transferees will be fed and medically examined. Onward movement will be in enclosed railway carriages which will be heated if fuel is available. Meals will be provided on the journey and ration cards will be issued for the district to which the transferees are going.

Mr. Stokes

Is not the Minister aware that his reply is not very encouraging? Having stated that 1,300,000 will be transported in the next three months, do the Allied Commission really think it is possible to carry out this transfer in the winter months under humane and orderly conditions?

Mr. Hynd

As I have said in the reply, the transfer will be carried out subject to weather conditions. Food and other provision will be made, and the proper arrangements have been made for the reception of these transferees in the British zone. I do not see what further could be done in regard to humanising the transfer, in present conditions.

Mr. Lipson

Is it too late to suggest that this process be postponed?

Mr. Hynd

I can only repeat that the transfers are being made in present conditions under the most humane possible arrangements, and that when winter conditions make it necessary the transfers will be suspended.

Mr. Stokes

Is my hon. Friend aware that the zone into which the people are to be transferred is already hopelessly over crowded and under-housed? Is he also aware that when a similar transfer took place after the last war it was limited to something under 1,000,000 persons, and took nearly three years? [Interruption.] Of course, if hon. Members opposite do not care about people dying—

Mr. Hynd

It would be fair to say that in some cases the conditions in which the transferees are living are less hospitable than those to which they are being transferred.