HC Deb 10 October 1945 vol 414 cc241-2W
Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have been taking place at 21st Army Group headquarters and at Frankfurt, with regard to the return to Poland of 500,000 diplaced Poles and Polish army units; and whether he is satisfied that the promise made to the Poles that no one should be forced to return to Poland against his will is being carried out.

Mr. Bevin

His Majesty's Government initiated a conference, which took place in Berlin last month, and at which arrangements were made for the repatriation of Poles from the British, United States and French zones. At a later meeting concluded a few days ago the Polish and Soviet authorities gave their final agree- ment to the repatriation movement starting eastward at once, at the rate of 3,000 persons per day, rising, it is hoped, to 5,000 daily. No one is compelled to make a final choice now as to whether or not he will avail himself of these facilities. Nevertheless it is understood that out of 500,000 displaced Poles, 300,000 have already opted to return and it is, of course, the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that the conditions made available by the Polish Government for those who return will be such as to encourage the vast majority of Polish nationals to decide in favour of repatriation.

Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what measures the British authorities are taking in arranging for the repatriation to Poland of 500,000 Polish displaced persons now in the British zone with special reference to their security when repatriated, in view of the measures threatened in an official announcement, January, 1945, issued by the Lublin Committee declaring the necessity for extirpating members of the Polish Home Army and followers of the Polish Government in London.

Mr. McNeil

As regards the repatriation arrangements which have so far been made I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes). He will see that only those are being repatriated who have expressed a wish to go, and are therefore presumably satisfied as to the treatment they will receive.