HC Deb 18 July 1950 vol 477 cc2016-7
3 and 4. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many Poles of all ranks who fought under British command during the war did not pass through the Polish Resettlement Corps, but have made their homes in the United Kingdom; and what would be the total cost of paying war gratuities to all such persons;

(2) whether he is aware of the resentment caused by the fact that war gratuities are not paid to members of the Polish Forces who served under British command unless they became members of the Polish Resettlement Corps; and under what regulation and for what reason this decision was taken.

Mr. Strachey

I have no information as to the number of members of the Polish Forces who have made their homes in the United Kingdom. No general obligation to pay war gratuities to members of the Polish Forces was undertaken by His Majesty's Government, but gratuities were paid to persons whose services were terminated under certain specified arrangements for their resettlement, whether or not these involved joining the Polish Resettlement Corps. Those who left the Forces in other circumstances were ineligible.

Major Beamish

I cannot understand why the fact of joining the Polish Resettlement Corps should make a man eligible for war gratuity. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of Poles who fought most gallantly during the war have not been given a war gratuity, simply because they have not joined the Polish Resettlement Corps but have found themselves jobs?

Mr. Strachey

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must not suppose that joining the Polish Resettlement Corps was a necessary condition of receiving a gratuity. Quite a large number of Polish personnel who did not join the Resettlement Corps have, nevertheless, received a gratuity.

Air-Commodore Harvey

As the number is extremely small, would the right hon. Gentleman undertake to look into this matter again and review it?

Mr. Strachey

Certainly.