HC Deb 06 December 1946 vol 431 cc156-8W
Sir W. Smiles

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Slovenes were handed over by the British Army to Yugoslavia in May, 1945; if he has any knowledge of their subsequent fate; how many escaped Slovenes are now in Italy; and if His Majesty's Government have any policy with regard to these people.

Mr. Mayhew

A group of some 900 Yugoslav quisling troops in enemy uniform were captured by British troops in May. 1945, and were handed over to the Yugoslav military authorities. It is not known how many of these were Slovenes. There is no certainty about their subsequent fate. There are some 2,000 Slovene refugees in Allied Commission camps in Italy. His Majesty's Government regard the refugee problem as being one of international concern and support the proposal of forming an international refugee organisation to deal with the repatriation or resettlement of these unfortunate people.