§ Mr. E. L. Gandar Dowerasked the Secretary of State for War (1) at what date he hopes to close Polish camps in Caithness; and whether he is aware that the behaviour of the Polish forces there is a source of anxiety to the public;
(2) whether he is aware that Hepworth's premises at Thurso, Caithness, were recently broken into by members of the Polish forces; that goods valued at £100 were stolen; that offenders received 60 days' imprisonment from the sheriff and that others were sentenced to 40 days' imprisonment by magistrates for serious assault and breach of the peace; and what steps he proposes to ensure that Polish forces stationed in Caithness will be of good behaviour.
Mr. BallengerThe majority of the Poles in Caithness are recalcitrant members of the Polish Armed Forces and I am aware that their discipline has been unsatisfactory. Active steps have, however, now been taken under the powers given by the Polish Resettlement Act to ensure that discipline is properly enforced and. I hope256W that there will be no further trouble. I shall not hesitate to take rigorous disciplinary action if necessary. It is not at present possible to say when the Polish camps in Caithness can be closed.