§ 18. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has regarding the number of British and United States soldiers killed or wounded and the number of Soviet displaced persons from camps in Rimini and Pisa killed or wounded in course of forcible repatriation at Bologna on or about 10th May.
§ Mr. BevinMy information is that there were no British soldiers, no United States soldiers and no Soviet displaced persons either killed or wounded in the operation to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. StokesDoes the term "displaced persons" in the answer include also ex-prisoners of war?
§ Mr. StokesIs my right hon. Friend aware that my information comes from Reuters correspondent, who is usually very authentic? I will supply my right hon. Friend with details if he will look into them.
§ Mr. BevinI shall be very glad to get details if they controvert the facts given to me. I understand that nothing happened in this case. I have great respect for Reuters, but I cannot accept the report my hon. Friend has as final.
§ Mr. NicholsonCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how often these operations take place? Is he aware that the whole idea of repatriating people to any country against their will is foreign to this country?
§ Mr. BevinIt is abhorrent to this country. On the other hand, I cannot allow these people to exploit that fact. Really, we are carrying a very great burden. I am willing to give asylum to the utmost, but I cannot tolerate people exploiting it by being permanently on our backs.
§ Mr. NicholsonMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman would give us this amount of consolation—that we do not forcibly repatriate people who thus would be sent back to certain death?
§ Mr. BevinI do not think we have done that. We have had cases where citizens of particular countries have committed suicide rather than go back. But on the basis of the Yalta Agreement my duty is quite clear.
§ Mr. StokesIn view of the very unsatisfactory situation, and of the fact that the Foreign Office do not seem to know the facts, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.