§ 24. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the position resulting from the influx of refugees from the Soviet zone into Western Germany, indicating the steps being taken to deal with the sick, homeless and unemployed; and whether he has made representations to the Soviet authorities with a view to stopping the uncontrolled movement of people who may embarrass the economy for which we are responsible.
Mr. McNeilThe influx of refugees into the British zone continues to impose a severe strain on the German authorities who are responsible for finding suitable accommodation and absorbing the refugees into the German economy. The Military Governors of the Western zones122W have recently agreed to set up a tripartite working party to study the redistribution of refugees between their three zones.
The general arrangements for the reception and welfare of the refugees were outlined in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 13th December. Medical care is available to refugees on the same basis as for the indigenous population, except that priority of admission to hospitals is given to refugees living in the reception camps. The local German authorities in the areas to which refugees are sent from the reception camps are obliged to find accommodation for them, if necessary by requisitioning. Unemployed refugees receive the same consideration as other unemployed Germans in the British zone. No representations have been made to the Soviet authorities about the exodus of refugees from their zone.