§ 149. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the discontinuation of educational, recreational and other cultural activities in all camps caring for 100 or more Polish displaced persons, ordered to take effect from 1st October by U.N.R.R.A.'s Stuttgart district office.
§ Mr. MayhewYes, Sir. Immediate inquiries were made of the European Regional Office of U.N.R.R.A. who have replied as follows
The Order referred to in the Question was in fact issued, but as it was considered that 354W the wording of the Order might be open to misconstruction it quoted out of the context of other Orders issued at the same time it has been withdrawn. The policy which was intended to be expressed in this Order is, however, still in effect. That is to say that, as part of the scheme for the consolidation of national groups amongst the displaced persons in the American zone of Germany, certain Polish displaced persons camps are to be closed in order to move all Polish displaced persons to larger camps. The educational and other equipment in the existing camps is to be withdrawn and transferred to the camps to which the Polish displaced persons themselves are to be transferred. There has at no time been any suggestion that the educational activities themselves should be discontinued.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an instruction issued by the U.N.R.R.A. district office in Stuttgart, dated 26th September, 1946, declared that from 1st October, 1946, all educational, recreational and other cultural activities are to be discontinued in all camps caring for 100 or more Polish displaced persons; and, as this measure stops the cultural and educational development of the Polish nation, if he will take steps to have this order annulled.
§ Mr. MayhewI would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke).