§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether in view of the very serious conditions existing in the agricultural industry they will consider delaying the return of German prisoners of war, reported to be leaving this country at the rate of 15,000 a month.]
The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lord PAKENHAM)My Lords, His Majesty's Government do not consider it necessary to vary the arrangements for the repatriation of German prisoners of war, but arrangements are now being worked out under which German prisoners of war whom farmers are willing to retain and are able to provide with accommodation will be allowed to volunteer to remain here for a period as civilians.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKWhilst thanking the noble Lord for that answer, and for the suggestion in it that a certain amount will be done in the direction I am seeking, I should like to ask the Government whether they are not impressed by the fact that the German nation is primarily responsible for the parlous condition in which we find ourselves to-day. Why is it that, whilst the Russians and the French are to be given until January, 1949, to send back all their prisoners of war, we should, in spite of similar necessity, return ours at once? We seem always to be setting an example to other nations without getting any quid pro quo. Our disarming after the first Great War is a very good example of this. I wish to ask the noble Lord whether the Government have taken notice of these facts in coming to this decision.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERBefore the noble Lord replies, may I ask him for what period of time he intends that Ger- 952 man prisoners of war should be allowed to remain in this country?
LORD PAKENHAMMay I reply to the second question first? The arrangements are now under consideration and they have not been finally approved. It is suggested that in the first instance the contracts with Germans who elect to remain in the scheme would be for the period to the end of December, 1947, but that there should be a prospect of extension and that towards the end of the year a possible extension of contract should be considered in the light of conditions then existing. As to the supplementary question put by the noble Viscount, I would refer him to the debate in this House on February 12 last, when the whole matter was very fully discussed and a careful statement was made on behalf of the Government.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMay I suggest to the noble Lord that various things have happened since that debate? It is only within the last few days that we have learned that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has agreed that Russia, France and, I think, other countries shall retain their prisoners of war until the beginning of 1949. That has taken place since that debate, and consequently I put it forward as a new fact altogether.