Refugees

HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1824-7

21. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assistance is being given to the German authorities in West Berlin for the reception and disposal of refugees.

Mr. Nutting

The German Federal Government, in addition to paying for the evacuation of refugees to Federal territory and arranging with the Land authorities for their settlement, has made substantial grants towards the cost of building transit accommodation for refugees in Berlin.

Help given by the Western occupying Powers includes a grant of 100,000 deutschmarks (about £8,000) by the Allied Kommandatura in Berlin to the German authorities there, towards the cost of blankets and other supplies for the refugees. The British Commandant in Berlin was also authorised last October to make available supplies, including blankets, tents and cooking equipment. Recently, the United States authorities are reported to have released 250,000 deutschmarks (about £20,000) from counterpart funds for the relief of East German refugees. The British, American and French airlines operating to Berlin have provided extra capacity at cheap rates for the evacuation of refugees.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Nottingham, Central (Mr. Ian Winter-bottom) on 2nd February, which referred to the appeal of the United Nations High Commissioner for support for a scheme to provide immediate help to refugees.

Mr. Grimond

While appreciating what has been done by this and other countries, may I ask the Joint Under-Secretary if it is not the case that thousands of these unfortunate individuals, who have been driven from their homes in conditions of the greatest cruelty, have come to the West for relief and to find a more humane way of life? Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that we have done enough to meet that obligation and provide them with the necessities of a decent life?

Mr. Nutting

As the answer to the hon. Member's next Question will show, this problem is increasing at an alarming rate. So far as the past is concerned, I am satisfied that the problem has been tackled with energy both by the West German Federal Government and the other authorities who have responsibility in the matter.

Mr. Sorensen

Has any consideration yet been given to the wider problem, the longer problem, of temporary resettlement of these refugees in some other part of the world? Could not the United Nations consider that matter?

Mr. Nutting

So far resettlement has been achieved in the vast majority of cases in Western Germany, but if, as a result of the recent aggravation of the problem, further steps are needed, they will be most sympathetically considered by Her Majesty's Government in consultation with the other authorities concerned.

Mr. Nicholson

Am I right in thinking that in the view of Her Majesty's Government this is primarily the responsibility of the West German Federal Government?

Mr. Nutting

This is primarily the responsibility of the West German Federal Government.

22. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present rate of flow of refugees from the East into West Berlin and the British Zone in Germany; and what arrangements exist for handling them.

Mr. Nutting

During the month of January over 25,000 refugees from the Soviet Zone entered and were registered in West Berlin. In the same period nearly 10,500 refugees were flown from Berlin to Western Germany. During the first days of this month, the rate of entry has risen still higher. During the latter part of 1952 the rate had been about 15,000 a month. Refugees have been crossing the zonal border from the Soviet Zone into camps in the Federal Republic at a monthly average of some 660 into the British Zone and 860 into the United States Zone.

Refugees are examined on arrival by Commissions of the Federal Government since a Federal law requires that refugees should have been in real danger in Eastern Germany to qualify for acceptance. At present some 75 per cent. of all refugees qualify. The Federal Government have accepted responsibility for resettling the bulk of them in the Federal Republic, and only 4 per cent. of them are in theory left for resettlement in Berlin. In practice, however, a larger number has had to remain in Berlin because of the difficulty of arranging accommodation for them in Western Germany.

Mr. Grimond

In view of what has been said about the responsibility of the West German Government, would the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a matter which engages the conscience of the whole Western world? Does it not appear from his answers that as it grows more serious the present machinery is unable to cope with it? Cannot he see if through I.R.O., or some other organisation, machinery can be set up to deal with this matter?

Mr. Nutting

The I.R.O. has of course been wound up, but the United Nations High Commissioner's representative is in Berlin at the moment and he is in touch with the three Deputy Commandants, the British, French and United States, and discussions are taking place. I can assure the hon. Member that Her Majesty's Government will do everything possible to assist, but so far we have had no request from the West German Federal Government for assistance in the matter.

Captain Duncan

Is it not a fact that the bulk of these refugees are Germans? Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the High Commissioner for Refugees has sufficient powers to settle those who are not German?

Mr. Nutting

The bulk of them are Germans. I think that of the recent influx almost all have been of German extraction and origin from Eastern Germany. So far as the other refugees are concerned, I would rather not answer the question without notice.

Mr. I. 0. Thomas

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate whether steps have been taken to bring this matter officially to the notice of the United Nations, either by the West German Government or any of the occupying Powers, with a view to action being taken through an organisation like U.N.R.R.A. for the more efficient and speedy relief of the victims of oppression?

Mr. Nutting

I did say in answer to an earlier supplementary question that the United Nations High Commissioner's representative is engaged on this problem at the moment. We do not of course exclude taking the matter to the United Nations if that would help, but I would prefer to await the result of conversations with the United Nations' High Commissioner's representative before deciding to take further steps.