Repatriation

HC Deb 25 February 1947 vol 433 cc261-2W

14. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War why repatriation of prisoners of war, at the rate of 5,000 a month from the Middle East, cannot start until July; and whether he will give an assurance that the undertaking that repatriation from the Middle East would be completed no later than repatriation from this country is still valid.

Mr. J. Freeman

The programme of repatriation from the Middle East has been arranged to conform generally to that from this country. The increase of the rate to 5,000 from July will ensure that repatriation from the Middle East is completed no later than that from the United Kingdom.

32. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether prisoners of war who were captured by the U.S. Army and subsequently handed over for work in Great Britain are, in accordance with the request made to the French Government for the return of similar prisoners to Germany, to be repatriated at the same time.

Mr. Bellenger

The prisoners of war who were transferred from the U.S.A. to Great Britain had been held on our behalf in the United States under a pooling arrangement; the United States Government ceased to have any responsibility for them from the date of transfer. They will, therefore, be repatriated under the same terms as all others in the United Kingdom.

81. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether representations concerning the prisoners of war at Dunkirk have been made to the French Government, in view of the fact that these men surrendered to the British Army by special armistice in May, 1945, and were promised early repatriation.

Mr. Bellenger

I am making inquiries into the case of these prisoners. Perhaps my hon. Friend will send me any information he has.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in deciding priority for the repatriation of prisoners of war, due regard is being taken of the circumstances of the dependants of the men awaiting their return in Germany.

Mr. Bellenger

The circumstances of dependants of German prisoners of war are taken into account in selecting prisoners of war for inclusion in the quota of 500 compassionate cases a month, but not in other cases.