§ 41. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for War the total amount of credits earned by German prisoners of war when working in this country; if all the prisoners of war who returned to Germany have now been paid these credits; and when he expects to complete payment of the sums due to former prisoners of war who have been allowed to stay on here as civilians.
§ Mr. ShinwellThere is no information available as to the total of the unexpended balances of working pay earned by German prisoners of war who were employed on work in the United Kingdom. Settlement of the balances remaining unspent at the termination of138W captivity is a matter for the German authorities and I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that the majority of the prisoners who returned to Germany have now been paid their credits, although changes which had to be made in the arrangements for the encashment of credit certificates after the currency reform in Western Germany have delayed payment in some cases. These credits are a charge on the German economy and payments to former prisoners of war who have remained here as civilians can be completed only when they pay a visit to Western Germany or nominate a resident there to collect the amount on their behalf.