HC Deb 05 November 1946 vol 428 c1211
49. Mr. Gammans

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if any representations have been made to the Soviet Government regarding the deportation to the U.S.S.R. of German civilians in Berlin and other parts of the Soviet zone.

Mr. J. Hynd

At the meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Allied Control Commission on 29th October the British representative asked the Russian representative for full information on this subject. He was supported by the American representative. The matter is to be considered again on Saturday next, when the Russian member will be pressed to make a report.

Mr. Gammans

Is it not a fact that these deportations are contrary both to the letter and to the spirit of the Potsdam Agreement?

Mr. Hynd

Until we have the reply from the Soviet authorities as to the extent to which and the conditions under which any German worker may have been removed from the Russian zone to any other part of Europe it would be difficult for me to give an answer.

Mr. Molson

Will the Chancellor of the Duchy say what reply was given on the last occasion, and whether the Russian representative asked for time to send for instructions from Moscow, or that the matter should not be dealt with then?

Mr. Hynd

The answer, so far as I recall, was that he had not sufficient information to answer the various specific questions that were put before him by the British representative and by the American representative.