Mr. EDMUND HARVEY:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state how many German political prisoners and persons not yet tried, but under detention for similar charges, are at present imprisoned at the instance of Allied, authorities in Germany; whether any steps have been taken for their release; how many deportees, including women and children, are still under sentence of expulsion; and what steps have been taken to permit their return to the Ruhr and Rhineland?

The French Government have ordered the immediate release of German prisoners, and given permission for the return of expelled persons, in large numbers. I cannot at the moment give precise figures as to persons still detained.