§ 2.45 p.m.
THE LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTERMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty s Government the question standing on the Order Paper in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government how many German prisoners of war have been repatriated respectively from the United Kingdom and from the Middle East since January 1; how many German prisoners of war still remain in the United Kingdom and in the Middle East; and by what date it is expected that the repatriation will be finally completed?]
§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, approximately 93,700 German prisoners of war were repatriated from the United Kingdom and 16,800 from the Middle East, between January 1 and June 30. At the latter date approximately 267,200 remained in the United Kingdom and 77,200 in the Middle East. If present rates of repatriation are maintained all German prisoners of war will have been repatriated by the end of 1948.
THE LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTERWhile thanking the noble Lord for his statement of facts as to the present rate 746 of repatriation, may I ask whether, in view of hardships involved, His Majesty's Government would consider speeding up the rate with a view to completion of the repatriation by June 30 next?
§ LORD AMMONIt is impossible to give any specific date, but the Government are endeavouring to speed up repatriation.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERIf any of these prisoners of war desire to stay this country instead of going back to their native land, will they be permitted to do so?
§ LORD AMMONThat is a matter which I believe is being dealt with by the Home Office.