HC Deb 15 May 1950 vol 475 cc848-50
57. Mr. Nigel Birch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made by the West German Government to the Allied High Commission with regard to German prisoners of war and civilians detained in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; whether he has considered these representations; and what steps he proposes to take.

63. Mr. Hollis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action it is proposed to take, in view of the German protests to the British and other Allied Commissioners, against the Russian announcement that all German prisoners in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have been released, at a time when a very large number of such prisoners are unaccounted for.

64. Mr. Birch

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the West German Government about the number of German prisoners of war and civilians in Russian hands; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement issued on 12th May, 1950, by the three Foreign Ministers on the repatriation of German prisoners of war from Soviet Russia. There is nothing I can usefully add to that statement.

Mr. Birch

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House what is his estimate of the number of German prisoners who have died in Russia, and of how many are still alive there?

Mr. Davies

No, Sir. Owing to the lack of reliable information, no accurate estimates, either of the number of prisoners still in Russia or of those who have died there, can be made.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Cannot the Government give serious consideration to making a protest in the name of this country that will be to some extent the equivalent of the abhorrence with which the whole nation regards this behaviour?

Mr. Davies

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman has not seen a statement made by the three Foreign Ministers?

Mr. Nicholson

I know that, but I want something more than that.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is my hon. Friend aware that for several years hon. Members of the party opposite subscribed to the policy that most Huns were killable and few curable?

Mr. Pickthorn

Does the hon. Gentleman really mean to tell the House that it is impossible to make any estimate of the number of prisoners who have been held by Russia and of the number who have been returned? Is that what he means the House to understand? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yes."] I did not ask you.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman was really referring to me when he said "I did not ask you."

Mr. Pickthorn

I should be delighted to have your approval, Mr. Speaker, but I apologise for my misuse of language. May I now have the answer from the Minister?

Mr. Davies

Quite clearly, attempts are made, but we do not consider that any figures which might bear on the matter are sufficiently reliable to be taken into account.

Mr. Birch

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree, at any rate so far as our own zone in Germany is concerned, that we are responsible for this matter, because the Germans have no diplomatic representation, and it is our business to get the most accurate information if we can?

Mr. Davies

Here we have what I consider a vigorous statement issued by the three Foreign Ministers responsible for the government of Germany. That statement was issued as recently as 12th May, and I think that a little time should be given to see whether it brings any results.