§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Poles are now being cared for by British and Allied Forces in Germany and other occupied areas; whether these persons are to be returned to Poland even against their wishes; if not, what immediate action is it 706W proposed to take to relieve the strain now falling on the relief organisation; and whether the Soviet Government has now given leave for British representatives to visit Poland and ascertain the position of the relatives of those Poles now in our hands.
§ Lord DunglassI am informed that the number of Poles accounted for in assembly centres and camps in Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force's zone up to 27th May was at least 700,000. The Prime Minister has already made it clear to the House that these Poles are at present being sheltered and maintained by S.H.A.E.F. and that they will continue to be cared for in this way for as long as conditions make it impracticable or undesirable for them to be repatriated or otherwise provided for. As regards the last part of the Question, it has not yet proved possible to arrange for British official representatives to enter Poland, since His Majesty's Government do not recognise the Polish Provisional Government now functioning there.