HC Deb 28 June 1957 vol 572 cc65-6W
Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that damage is being done to British prestige on the Continent because some 500 members of the wartime French, Belgian and Dutch resistance movements who, at risk of their own lives, helped Royal Air Force crews to escape from prisoner-of-war camps or evade capture, now find themselves in urgent want; and if he will arrange for part of the official British financial subsidy to the European Movement, and other similar supranational organisations, to be set aside to aid them.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Immediately after the war "Awards Bureaux" were set up in the capitals of certain countries and great efforts were made to discover and reward those foreign nationals who had assisted British Service and other personnel, through national resistance organisations or by individual action. Many awards, decorations, certificates, some clothing and in some cases gifts of money were given out through these bureaux, which were wound up some time ago.

As regards the last part of the Question, generally speaking assistance to their own nationals is a matter for the foreign Governments concerned. I understand arrangements exist in the countries named for the granting of pensions to persons who participated in resistance activities. But requests are sometimes received by Her Majesty's Government for evidence that nationals of those countries, who may be claiming assistance from their own Governments, in fact rendered help to British airmen or other British personnel. This is always furnished wherever possible.