§ 64. Mr. Wilkesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what negotiations have taken place between the Belgian Government, the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees and the British Occupation Authorities in Germany for the transfer of coalminers from the British zone; what is the total number of miners amongst the displaced persons in the British zone; and how many the Belgian Government are trying to obtain from the British zone.
§ Mr. J. HyndThe Belgian Government have sent a representative to the British zone of Germany to open discussions with the British authorities. These are being conducted in consultation with the local representative of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees. No firm proposals have yet been made. I understand, however, that the Belgian 71W authorities wish to recruit 15,000 displaced persons from the British zone, primarily for employment in coal mines. According to a survey made by U.N.R.R.A. at the end of last year there are in the British zone approximately 400 displaced persons classified as miners.