HC Deb 30 October 1945 vol 415 cc219-20
19. Mr. Touche

asked the Secretary of State for War whether permission has now been obtained for British search teams to enter Soviet-occupied Germany to look for missing British and Dominion prisoners of war.

35. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether approval has yet been received from the Russian authorities for the entry into the Russian zone of British teams searching for British prisoners of war who are still unaccounted for.

Mr. Lawson

No, Sir. The situation is still as indicated in my reply on 9th October to a Question by the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton).

Mr. Touche

Have the Russian Government given any reason for this extraordinary refusal?

Mr. Lawson

That is not a matter which is relevant to my Department. It is a question for the Foreign Office.

Mr. Turton

Will the right hon. Gentleman press this application, in view of the great anxiety of the relatives, which is being aggravated by this delay?

Mr. Lawson

I am afraid I shall have to leave that to hon. Members themselves to press.

Mr. Turton

Will the right hon. Gentleman not take some action to find 150 British prisoners of war who are lost in the Russian zone in Germany?