§ 18. Mr. Fitzroy Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the present strength, all ranks, of the Russian Repatriation Mission now operating in the British zone of Germany; and how many Russian citizens have been voluntarily repatriated by it during the past 12 months.
§ Mr. BevinThe strength of the Soviet Repatriation Mission in the British zone of Germany is 21 officers and eight other ranks. In the period from 1st February, 1948, to 31st January, 1949, 103 Soviet citizens were repatriated, together with 692 inhabitants of the former Baltic States, and four Polish Ukrainians.
§ Mr. MacleanCould the right hon. Gentleman repeat the number of Soviet citizens repatriated?
§ Mr. MacleanIn view of the fact that it is clear that this Mission no longer serves any useful purpose, will the right hon. Gentleman invite the Soviet Government to withdraw it?
§ Mr. BevinI have not done that, because there are other Missions in other territories for other purposes, including war graves, and I have not entered into the question of reprisals in one way or another yet.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend say that, if he did come to the conclusion that this Repatriation Mission ought to return, he would endeavour to secure its return by normal diplomatic methods, and not by making war on individuals, as was done in the U.S. zone?
§ Mr. BevinI think diplomatic steps were taken, and that it was when they refused to obey that these other steps were taken.