HC Deb 04 May 1948 vol 450 c1082
24. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war were repatriated from this country and the Middle East during the month of April; and how many still remain to be repatriated from the two areas from 1st May.

Mr. Shinwell

Approximately 22,000 German prisoners of war were repatriated from this country and 9,000 from the Middle East during April. At 1st May approximately 42,000 remained to be repatriated from this country and 37,000 from the Middle East.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the eminently satisfactory figures which my right hon. Friend has just given, can he now say that repatriation from the Middle East will probably be completed by the end of August?

Mr. Shinwell

I hope so. We have certainly made better progress than was expected.