§ 32. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what suggestions have been received from Polish Army authorities in London regarding the future status of Polish PWX in the British zone in Germany; whether all these suggestions are acceptable to His Majesty's Government; how many Poles in the British zone in Germany were prisoners in German hands during the war and are classed as PWX; what distinguishes the status of these Poles from the status of D.Ps.; and what is to be their future status.
§ Mr. J. HyndThe suggestion was that these Polish PWX should be recruited into the Polish Resettlement Corps in this country or, if they must remain in Germany as displaced persons, that they should keep their military status until given suitable employment under the British authorities, when their civilian identity cards should be endorsed to show 327 that they had been Allied combatants. His Majesty's Government have agreed that those who served under British command, may be recruited into the Polish Resettlement Corps; the remainder are to be given civilian status in the British zone where those who do not accept repatriation will, with other Allied ex-prisoners of war, receive priority in employment by the British authorities; their cards will be stamped to show that they were ex-prisoners of war. There are about 30,600 Polish PWX's in the British zone.
§ Mr. Francis Noel-BakerCan my hon. Friend say what is the status of the Polish Army authorities in London, under whose command they now are, and when they are to be liquidated?
§ Mr. StokesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.