§ 54. Mr. Pickthornasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether His Majesty's Government was consulted before the announcement by a high official of the U.S. H.Q., Frankfort, of a re-examination of the antecedents of some 90,000 nationals of Baltic States, with a view to repatriating some, if necessary by force, which announcement was reported by New York and Frankfort radio systems on 24th February.
§ Mr. J. HyndIf, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to the statement reported to have been made by the United States Army authorities in Frankfurt on 17th February, the answer is "No, Sir."
§ Mr. StokesCan my hon. Friend assure the House that the assurance already given to this House about repatriation has been agreed to by the American Government?
§ Mr. HyndThe question is about an announcement that was made in the Press, authenticity of which has not yet been checked. We are making inquiries about it to see whether it is correct and whether, in that case, it represents a change in policy.
§ Mr. PickthornDoes the Minister really mean to say that it takes a fortnight for the Foreign Office to make sure whether the report is authentic or not?
§ Mr. HyndI have not said that it took the Foreign Office any particular time. I simply said that now that attention has been drawn to this statement and a question has been raised on it, inquiries are being made. It has not to be assumed that inquiries will be made in Germany upon every statement that appears in the Press.