HC Deb 23 February 1948 vol 447 cc1587-8
18 Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now given fresh instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador in Buenos Aires on the subject of the disabled Polish soldiers still held at a Polish Military Convalescent Depot, near Newbury, who are anxious to return to their homes and families in the Argentine; and if he has had any further communication from the Argentine Government.

Mr. McNeil

Yes, Sir. We have now heard from His Majesty's Ambassador in Buenos Aires that the Argentine Director of Immigration has agreed to authorise visas for three of the men in question whose disabilities are relatively slight. He also confirmed his willingness to permit unconditionally the return of the men with wives and/or children in the Argentine and to give sympathetic consideration to cases of unmarried men. We hope that they will sail on the s.s. "Empire Deben" at the end of February.

Mr. Driberg

While thanking my right hon. Friend most warmly for his persistence, and the Argentine Government for its much more helpful attitude, may I ask him to assure me that he will keep his eye on this matter, because there have been so many delays; and will he keep in touch with me about the individual cases concerned?

Mr. McNeil

I am glad to have the opportunity of thanking my hon. Friend for his great help in relation to this subject, and I will most heartily co-operate with him and keep him informed on this subject.