§ 49. Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many displaced persons have now arrived in the British zone in Germany; what is the present intake; and what are the principal areas from which they are being received.
§ Mr. J. HyndThe movement of displaced persons, i.e., persons of non-German nationality, has, for some time, 1302 been away from the British zone. In 1945 there were some 2,200,000 in the zone but this figure has been reduced by repatriation to 314,000. and no more are being received so far as we are aware. Germans are, however, still moving into the British zone. Some 1,900,000 previously domiciled in the zone have been received from the other three zones and from the Berlin area. Against this 557,000 Germans whose homes were in other parts of Germany have been moved from the British zone. Organised movement from the Russian zone and from Berlin is substantially complete except for special exchanges on a head for head basis but exchange of Germans with the American and French zones continues at the rate of 650 a week in each case. Finally, some 1,300,000 Germans have been received from Poland. This movement continues at a reduced rate of about 3,000 a week.
§ Sir Arthur SalterWill the Minister say whether any progress is being made in finding opportunities for immigration into the Dominions or foreign countries of the displaced persons who cannot return to their own countries?
§ Mr. HyndThat is a wider question, but it is one which is very much exercising the mind of the Government and other Governments at the present time.