HC Deb 15 December 1942 vol 385 cc1797-8W
Mr. Granville

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now make a statement as to whether the Free French and Spanish Republican prisoners in North Africa have been released?

Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a report from the Protecting Power respecting the position of refugees and internees in France; and whether he has now fuller information respecting the position of those in Africa?

Mr. Law

No report has yet been received from the Protecting Power respecting the position of refugees and internees in France. North Africa is still a zone of military operations under the command of the Allied Commander-in-Chief. As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, all British personnel interned there have, so far as is known, been released, but I still have no complete information on the position of refugees and internees of other nationalities. As regards those in French West Africa, orders have been given for the immediate release of all British internees and I understand that a number of internees of other nationalities have been released, although my information on this point is not complete.

Forward to