§ Major Vernonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make about Ukrainians brought to this country as prisoners of war.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, but my hon. Friend may have in mind the report which appeared in the Soviet Monitor of 26th168W June, 1947, and which is misleading on two counts. Firstly, the Ukrainians who have been brought to this country as prisoners of war were members of the 1st Ukrainian Division of the Wehrmacht, which is not the same as the so-called "Galizien Division" which in fact ceased to exist after suffering heavy losses at the Battle of Brody in July, 1944. In the second place, so far from Soviet representatives being refused access to these men, a Soviet Mission commanded at various times by Colonel Jakovlev and General Basilov was actively engaged in interrogating them from 13th August until the end of September, 1945. I should like to add that, although there is not the least evidence that any of the Ukrainians in this country have been implicated in any brutalities, they will nevertheless be subjected to further screening here so as to make assurance doubly sure.