§ Major Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to evacuate all British civilian internees from Weihsien internment camp in the Shantung province of China; when these internees will be able to return to this country; and whether he will contact other Allied Governments for information if Weihsien is not now under the control of the National Government of China.
Mr. McNeilThe Weihsien internment camp in North China was completely evacuated by 23rd October. Those internees who wished to return to this country were brought down to Tsingtao by rail and thence taken to Shanghai and Hongkong by steamer. This part of the evacuation was completed by the middle of October. About 600 British internees preferred to return to their homes or their businesses in North China. Owing to the difficulty of transport there was some initial delay in arranging this but they were ultimately all transported by American planes between 15th October1712W and 23rd October. The exact date of the arrival in this country of the ships on which those internees who wished to return to the United Kingdom are travelling is not yet known. Relatives will be informed as soon as nominal rolls are received.