HC Deb 26 March 1947 vol 435 cc1227-9
33. Mr. Stokes

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether communication No. 226 of 7th February, issued by the Director of U.N.R.R.A. Chief 804, to all camps under his direction, concerning the declaration of assets possessed in foreign currency and investments held by displaced persons, had his approval; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the displaced persons do not suffer any loss thereby.

Mr. J. Hynd

The notice referred to in the Question implements instructions issued under my authority. Records are being kept of foreign currencies and instruments of title surrendered or declared in order that such assets may be returned to displaced persons before their final departure from Germany.

Mr. Stokes

Does my hon. Friend's answer—I did not hear it all—mean that these assets will be returned to displaced persons before they leave the camps in which they are now residing?

Mr. Hynd

Yes, Sir. That is the purpose for which records are being kept.

36. Major Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by whom displaced persons camps in the British zones of Germany and Austria will be administered when U.N.R.R.A. ceases to function in June, 1947; whether he is aware that many U.N.R.R.A. personnel, with 18 months' experience of camp administration have now accepted other jobs as from next June; and whether he will issue immediate instructions for Control Commission in Germany to take over adequate staff to administer all displaced persons camps when U.N.R.R.A. closes down.

Mr. J. Hynd

Authority has been given to our authorities in Germany to recruit staff for this purpose, and it is hoped that a number of existing U.N.R.R.A. officials will accept these appointments. Arrangements for Austria are under consideration. The terms under which the administration of displaced persons is to be carried out will be subject to negotiation with the International Refugee Organisation.

37. Major Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the order that all employable displaced persons should do some form of work and that, to this end, camps in which they are now situated may be split up, does not apply to Jewish displaced persons; and whether he is aware that, as a result of this order, Jewish displaced persons can only do work within easy travelling distance of their camps, and that, therefore, large numbers of employable Jews will remain in idleness.

Mr. J. Hynd

The order that all employable displaced persons are liable to be directed to employment does apply to Jews. The majority of the Jewish displaced persons in the British zone of Germany are, however, accommodated at one large assembly centre, for convenience in meeting their religious needs and supplying them with Jewish foods, and they have been exempted from liability to be moved away from their camp for work. Numbers of them will be employed on essential services in the camp itself, while other employment in the neighbourhood of the camp is expected to absorb the remainder of those employable.