§ 51. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to remove the 400,000 displaced persons now in Austria receiving a larger ration, free of all cost, than that accorded to Austrian citizens, who are doing no work even for their own upkeep except that they are supplying the black market and are menacing public security in Austria.
§ Mr. J. HyndI do not admit the implications in the Question. The total of 400,000 would include not only displaced persons proper but all refugees of German nationality or extraction expelled from Austrian territories, a number of whom the Austrian Government do not desire to lose as they represent a valuable addition to Austrian economy.
So far as the British zone is concerned displaced persons do not receive a larger ration than the Austrian citizens, their ration is not free of all cost, they are not exempt from useful work but are in fact directed to work under penalty of imprisonment. They are not considered a menace to public security.
Repatriation of displaced persons is going on and the final dispersal of the residue is a matter which is receiving the urgent attention of His Majesty's Government and U.N.O.
§ Mr. FreemanWill my right hon. Friend be willing to meet a representative of the Austrian Government who provided this information, and will he take these facts into account?
§ Mr. HyndI have discussed this matter in the last few days with the President and other representatives of the Austrian Government. They are fully aware of the position, and the information we have at our disposal is accurate.
§ Captain Francis Noel-BakerCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication 220 when he thinks it probable that he will be able to abolish these camps in Austria altogether?
§ Mr. HyndIt is not possible to give a definite date, but I would point out that the great majority of these people are not in fact in camps in Austria.