HC Deb 28 January 1947 vol 432 c177W
Mr. Amory

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been called to the ill-treatment of German prisoners of war on their return to Germany by ex-S.S. personnel in German discharge camps; and what action he has taken.

Mr. J. Hynd

The only report of such treatment that I have heard is one, which appeared in the German and the British Press early in December. This alleged that a group of 1,600 prisoners of war sent to a camp at Heilbronn in the U.S. zone had been ill-treated by the German staff, who had seized some of their property, and unduly delayed their discharge. This report was immediately investigated by the U.S. authorities, who reported that it was a gross misrepresentation of the facts; that the German staff was closely supervised by the Americans, had no power to punish or delay the release of the prisoners, and had not removed any personal property. The actual process of discharge had taken longer than usual because the prisoners had arrived at Heilbronn without warning, whereas they had been expected at another camp. Suitable arrangements were made as quickly as possible at Heilbronn and all prisoners were released within a week.