§ Colonel Ropnerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the feeling in many parts of the country that Italian prisoners of war should now be returned to their own country, he can 244W make a statement setting out the intentions of the Government in this connection.
§ Mr. BevinHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have decided in principle that the repatriation of Italian prisoners of war in this country to Italy shall begin as soon as this year's harvest is completed and as soon thereafter as transport is available. Recent developments have made the shipping position even more difficult than hitherto, and it is therefore impossible to fix any definite date for the beginning of this repatriation. Nevertheless, every effort will be made to ensure that repatriation is started before the end of this year.