§ 1. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet able to make a statement regarding the inquiry called for from the British military authorities in Naples, concerning the forcible repatriation of Croatian displaced persons to Yugoslavia.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Bevin)No Yugoslav displaced persons were forcibly repatriated by the British military authorities on or about the date in question. In order to allay rumours, Allied Force Headquarters in Italy have issued a statement, for publication in the Press and in all displaced persons camps in Italy, to the effect that any suggestion that innocent political dissidents are liable to be forcibly repatriated to their countries of origin by the British or United States authorities is unfounded.
§ Mr. StokesWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for the most encouraging statement which he has made, may I ask him whether his answer also means that the contents of the letter addressed by the solicitors to the Croatian Refugee Committee to the Refugee Committee of his office, on 4th October, are, therefore, incorrect?
§ Mr. BevinI should like to have notice of that question, as I would like to look at the letter again.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonIn saying that no innocent people will be repatriated 1634 which, I presume, implies that guilty people will, can the right hon. Gentleman say how the guilt of people will be established?
§ Mr. BevinThe question of those who have been collaborationists and who have assisted the enemy comes into a different category from those who were innocently driven at the head of an army.
§ Mr. NicholsonBut when there is an allegation made that someone has assisted the enemy, is that taken at its face value, or is a preliminary inquiry conducted?