§ 34. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war are still detained in Cyprus; and when it is proposed that they should be returned to their own country.
§ Mr. M. StewartOn 31st December there were approximately 1,000 prisoners of war in Cyprus. They will be repatriated along with prisoners of war from other parts of the Middle East.
§ Mr. StokesIs my hon. Friend aware of the short distance across the water, and would it not be possible to pop them across to Greece and let them find their own way home?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think that would be an improvement on the present system.
§ 36. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for War what are the powers of camp commandants to defer repatriation of prisoners-of-war as punishment for breaches of disciplinary regulations.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe camp commandant can recommend deferment of repatriation in the case of a prisoner of war who habitually misconducts himself. This compulsory deferment must, however, be approved by the local commander and is limited to three months.
§ Mr. SkinnardIn view of the possibly detrimental effect on the announced programme of repatriation of any considerable extension of this practice, will 202 the Under-Secretary of State consider notifying the camp commandant that it would be preferable if alternative disciplinary measures were taken?
§ Mr. StewartI will consider that, but we have no reason to suppose that the use of this method will endanger the repatriation scheme as a whole.
§ 39. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to state the final date by which all prisoners of war in the Middle East will have been repatriated to their country.
§ Mr. M. StewartIt is hoped to complete the repatriation of prisoners of war from the Middle East during October, 1948