§ 42. Mrs. Ayrton Gouldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is now able to make any further statement about the arrangements for the admission to this country of distressed relatives in Germany and Austria.
§ 38. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to state when machinery is likely to be set up to 492 deal with applications from distressed persons in Germany and Austria who have relatives able and willing to look after them here, and who desire admission to this country.
§ Mr. EdeArrangements have now been made for dealing with applications regarding distressed persons in Germany and Austria who fall within the scheme which I announced. I will circulate a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the Statement:
§ Special arrangements have been made to enable relatives in the United Kingdom to send letters of invitation to distressed persons in the British, French and United States Zones of Germany who are eligible for admission to the United Kingdom under the Scheme announced to the House on the 13th November last.
- 1.When the whereabouts of the relatives in Germany have been ascertained, either through the British Red Cross or by other means, the letter of invitation which should show that maintenance and accommodation are available should be placed in an envelope addressed to the distressed person at the last known address in Germany. The normal postal address should be used but no postage stamp should be affixed to this envelope. The letter should then be placed in a second envelope addressed to Head quarters, 700 Control Unit, B.A.O.R. Postage at the rate of 3d. for a one ounce letter should be pre-paid on this cover.
- 2.As regards Austria, to which country a restricted postal service is now functioning, the letter of invitation should be sent direct to the normal postal address of the distressed person.
- 3.Where the host in this country is himself here as a refugee it would facilitate the work of the Passport Control Officers in judging whether the conditions prescribed in the Distressed Persons Scheme are fulfilled, if the host communicated with the Refugee Committee in Bloomsbury House to which he is known for the purpose of obtaining their advice about the particulars to be included in the letter of invitation. It may often be helpful that the letter of invitation should be accompanied by documentary evidence as to the ability of the host in the United Kingdom to provide accommodation and maintenance for his relatives.
- 4.Persons in Germany receiving such invitations if they fall within the prescribed categories should apply for visas and exit permits not directly to the Passport Control Officer at Lubbecke but through the nearest Military Government Detachment in the British Zone. Persons in Austria should apply direct to the Passport Control Officer at Vienna.
- 5.There is great pressure on the very limited transport facilities and it may be some while before a distressed person can make arrangements for his journey. The granting of a visa by the Passport Control Officer will not mean that transport facilities are available.