§ Captain C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he can report in the implementation of his assurance that special arrangements would be worked out to deal with applications for visas for distressed persons in Germany and Austria who have relatives in this country able and willing to look after them; whether he appreciates that he gave this assurance many weeks ago with no indication that there would be delay in carrying it out; and whether he is aware of the distress which this delay is causing.
§ Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the special arrangements for dealing with applications to enter this country from distressed persons in Germany and Austria have yet been fully worked out.
§ Mr. EdeOfficers authorised to grant visas under the distressed relatives scheme are now in Germany and Austria, and the British military authorities in those countries are working out, as a matter of urgency, the final details of the arrangements for the relatives abroad to receive132W and despatch letters and for clearing and transporting the persons concerned. I much regret the delay which has occurred, but my hon. Friends will realise that the British military authorities in the occupied territories, are faced with many abnormal administrative difficulties