§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are contemplating any step to help the 2,000 British subjects still on the Riviera, many of whom are destitute; and whether it is possible to make any arrangements for their repatriation?
§ Mr. ButlerUnited States Consuls in unoccupied France have been requested, through the United States authorities, to advance up to £10 a month to British subjects who are in need of financial assistance. They have also been asked to advance money for travelling expenses to enable those able to do so to reach the Spanish frontier. Once they have reached Spanish territory, British consular officers are able to render further assistance. These arrangements must by now be widely known amongst British subjects on the Riviera. The journey back from France must necessarily, in the circumstances prevailing, be an arduous one; but except in the case of men of military age there is, so far as I am aware, nothing to prevent British subjects who are in good health from returning to this country via Lisbon.