HC Deb 29 October 1946 vol 428 c79W
Mr. Piratin

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that 16,000 Polish troops stationed in Great Britain fought in the German ranks against us, he will have these screened and see that those who are Fascist and have committed crimes against the Allies are returned to Poland for trial and punishment.

Mr. Bellenger

All Polish troops who had served with the German Armed Forces were carefully screened before being enlisted into the Polish Forces under British Command. As I stated on 22nd October, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Baird), most if not all of these men were compulsorily conscripted by the Germans and many took the first opportunity of crossing to our lines, often at considerable risk to themselves. I do not consider that any further comprehensive screening is necessary or practicable, but I may add that particular care in this respect is exercised in the selection of officers for commissions in the Polish Resettlement Corps.

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