§ 7. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Secretary of State for War what is the present total of the Polish Armed Forces now under British command; and if it is still his intention that by 1st January, 1950, all members of these Forces will have been demobilised, and transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps, or will have obtained productive work in industry or have been returned to Poland.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe total of the Polish Armed Forces under British command administered by my Department at 1st November was approximately 17,000. I hope that these Forces will be closed down and their personnel have been repatriated, transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps or otherwise have ceased to belong to the Polish Armed Forces by 1st July, 1948.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my right hon. Friend realise that his predecessor gave an undertaking to see that this question was settled by 1st January, and could he look into it again? Does he think it is fair to workers in this country that they should be saddled with this responsibility any longer?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe are hurrying on resettlement or repatriation as speedily as possible.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersCan the Minister give an undertaking that none of the Polish Armed Forces will be sent back to Poland against their will, especially in view of the fact that they may be transferred to Russia?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe are doing everything possible to meet the wishes of the men concerned.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingAre these men the Poles who refused either to join the Resettlement Corps or to return to Poland?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am afraid that I must have notice of that question.