§ Mr. McKayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to speed up the resettlement of displaced persons in countries neighbouring on Germany which are short of labour and are willing to accept large numbers of displaced persons.
§ Mr. MayhewThe present position is that agreements have now been concluded between the British and American military authorities in Germany and the Belgian Government, whereby the latter will recruit large numbers of displaced persons for work in the Belgian coal mines. The French Government also intends to recruit large numbers of displaced persons in Germany and Austria and it is hoped that an overall agreement will be signed shortly. A French selection team has already visited Austria. 4,900 displaced persons or "European Volunteer Workers" have already arrived in this country under the "Westward Ho" scheme and recruitment is continuing. I understand, also, that an agreement has been signed between the American military authorities and the Dutch Government whereby the latter will take several thousand workers.