§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he now has any statement to make regarding the repatriation of British prisoners of war who have been three years in enemy hands.
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§ Mr. George HallI am able to assure my hon. Friend that the investigations, on the basis of which a proposal might be made to the German Government, are nearing their conclusion. It will be realised that as German prisoners are interned in various parts of the Commonwealth greater time has been necessary to secure the figures relating to age and length of captivity than would have been the case if all the German prisoners had been interned in this country. It is on the basis of these particulars alone that any proposal for repatriation under Article 72 of the Convention can be made.