§ 2. Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many displaced persons, of what nationalities, are in Italy in camps and outside camps, respectively; and if he will make a full statement on the steps already taken and the steps proposed to safeguard the future of these people.
Mr. McNeilAs the answer is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HobsonDoes the Minister's statement include the number of refugees who have come from Yugoslavia since the termination of hostilities?
§ Following is the Answer:
§ It is not possible to state with any degree of accuracy how many displaced persons are at large in Italy, although the results of a recent census of foreigners in Italy may, when published, throw some light on this. U.N.R.R.A. are responsible for some 22,000 persons, mostly of Jewish race, about half of whom are living outside camps. The latest available figures for refugees who are a joint British and United States responsibility and who are housed in Allied Commission camps, show that they number 10,984, including 7,071 Yugoslavs, 1,021 Poles, 618 Albanians, 295 Hungarians, 292 Greeks and 274 Balts.
§ There are also nearly 21,000 persons who have hitherto been held in camps under British control, of whom the great majority are Yugoslavs. These are being removed to the British zone of Germany where screening will be completed. Those who are found on investigation not to be war criminals or quislings but who are unwilling to return home will be given work by the authorities concerned. It is hoped that the persons in Allied Commission camps will be looked after by the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees pending the establishment of the International Refugee Organisation. Those outside camps will continue to be an Italian responsibility as before.