HC Deb 31 October 1945 vol 415 cc582-3W
Captain G. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the detention of five British co-operative delegates in Poland; whether any action has been taken on their behalf by his Department; and whether he is in a position to make a full statement on the subject.

Mr. Bevin

The five co-operative delegates, who were proceeding to Poland at the invitation of the Polish Provisional Government and of the Polish Co-operative Movement, have now arrived safely in Warsaw. The plane in which these delegates were travelling was carrying petrol for two Spitfires which were grounded at Poznan and accordingly came down there. Due to a misunderstanding, permission for the plane to take off was withheld until protests had been made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw and the Polish Co-operative Movement. Comfortable provision was also made overnight for the delegates at a nearby hotel.