HC Deb 18 December 1946 vol 431 cc378-9W
7. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conditions were attached when the 15,000 prisoners of war captured by British troops were transferred to the Belgian authorities; and, in particular, whether it was laid down that they should not be used as slave labour.

Mr. McNeil

The transfer of enemy prisoners of war to Belgian custody was made between Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and the Belgian Provisional Government under conditions, the full text of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It will be seen from this text that the first condition was that the Belgian Government should in all respects observe the provisions of the Geneva Convention. The answer to the second part of the Question is that adequate safeguard against the use of prisoners of war as slave labour is provided by the condition to which I have just referred.

Following are the conditions:

  1. (a) That in the treatment of prisoners of war transferred to its custody, the Belgian Government will observe in all respects the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war.
  2. (b) That the Belgian Government will extend to the representatives of the International Red Cross the rights of visitation, 379 access, and interview identical with those provided for representatives of the protecting Power in Article 86 of the Geneva Convention.
  3. (c) That the Belgian Government, upon the request of the United States Government or of the British Government, or of this headquarters, will give every facility to United States or British representatives to interrogate any of the transferred personnel who may be wanted in connexion with war crimes or atrocities, either as witnesses or accused.
  4. (d) That the Belgian Government shall, in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention and at the earliest possible date, render the necessary notifications of the prisoners of war transferred to its custody.
  5. (e) That the Belgian Government, upon request of the United States Government, the British Government or of this headquarters will return to British or United States custody, those prisoners of war whose last competent recruiting office lies within the Russian zone of occupation.
  6. (f) In cases where any prisoners of war or members of German disarmed forces, who fall within the category of War Criminals or other categories of wanted German personnel, or whose retention is desired on security grounds, have been released or transferred to Belgian custody they shall be returned upon demand.

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