§ 44. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war were repatriated from Great Britain and the Middle East, respectively, during December; and how many are expected to return from the Middle East during January.
§ Mr. ShinwellTwenty thousand seven hundred and two and 1,916 German prisoners of war were repatriated from Great Britain and the Middle East respectively during December, 1947, and it is hoped to repatriate 2,365 from the Middle East during January, 1948. I should like to take this opportunity of announcing that during the first quarter of 1948 it is proposed to repatriate 74,000 prisoners of war from Great Britain and it is hoped to complete their repatriation during July. The Middle East presents a more difficult problem but it is intended to repatriate 15,000 in each of the first two quarters of 1948 and I hope to complete repatriation at an earlier date than was originally visualised.
§ Mr. StokesMay I say to the right hon. Gentleman that I am as pleased with that reply as I was displeased with the one before?
§ Mr. ShinwellIn that event, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will withdraw his notice to raise the other matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. DribergWhile welcoming very warmly the new announcement by my right hon. Friend—[Interruption]—andthe return to this House of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill)—may I ask him whether the rate of repatriation from the Middle East also will be speeded up if more transport becomes available?
§ Mr. ShinwellI also am glad to see that the right hon. Gentleman has been repatriated. In reply to my hon. Friend, we are pushing on with that as fast as we can.
§ Mr. HollisIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that it is hoped to complete repatriation at a date earlier than has previously been envisaged, can he tell us that date?
§ Mr. ShinwellI said "at an earlier date."