§ 17. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how many Poles have been repatriated or sent back to the Continent from Britain since the end of the war; and how many are still in Britain.
§ Mr. MayhewPoles repatriated from this country to Poland or sent to other countries number approximately 71,000. Of these 67,000 have returned to Poland and the rest to other countries. The number of Poles remaining in Britain is about 163,000, of whom 35,000 are civilians, and over 25,000 are about to be repatriated.
§ 21. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he received in Warsaw any guarantee that no danger will threaten Poles who take his advice to return to their country from England, in view of the fact that political offenders in Poland are brought before military courts and the Warsaw authorities are over-ridden by the Soviet N.K.V.D still acting in Poland
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. Poles must make their own decision in this matter; but the existence of the amnesty is widely known. The amnesty has undoubtedly led to an easing of internal tension. I believe the return of the mass of Poles abroad to assist in the work of national reconstruction would be beneficial for their country and is certainly desired by the Polish Government.
§ Professor SavoryIs not the hon. Gentleman aware of the intense feeling of insecurity caused by the continued detention of many of the leaders of the Polish Peasant Party and the more recent arrest of the principal leaders of the genuine Socialist Party?
§ Mr. MayhewWe have no evidence whatever of the implication in this Question that reprisals are being taken against Poles who return to their country and any such suggestions are, T think, not helpful.
§ Mr. DribergWill my hon. Friend do his best to see that his answer receives publicity in the Polish language newspapers published for Polish soldiers in this country, which usually try to avoid publishing answers of this kind?