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Middle East and North Africa

Oral Answers to Questions — Prisoners of War – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Chwefror 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker , Banbury 12:00, 11 Chwefror 1947

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German and Italian prisoners of war, respectively, remain in the Middle East and North Africa under British control.

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

At 31st January approximately 90,000, all of whom are German prisoners.

Photo of Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker , Banbury

May I ask what action is being taken to repatriate these men? At what rate are they going back to Germany?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

I think the next Question deals with that point.

Photo of Mr Quintin Hogg Mr Quintin Hogg , Oxford

What is the basis on which these men are retained at all? Does it not use up manpower to guard them, and what possible right in humanity have we to keep them?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

They are part of the whole picture. We have a far larger number in this country. All of them are being repatriated fairly speedily.

Photo of Sir Godfrey Nicholson Sir Godfrey Nicholson , Farnham

That does not answer the Question at all. Are they performing any function in the Middle East?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

They are pretty fully occupied.

Photo of Sir Toby Low Sir Toby Low , Blackpool North

What are they doing?

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.