asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent announcement that the rate of repatriation of German prisoners of war from the Middle East is to be reduced, he will make a clear statement of the Government's repatriation plans.

The world-wide shortage of deep sea shipping, aggravated by the reduction of His Majesty's Forces abroad, has compelled us, with the greatest regret, to reduce considerably the rate of repatriation of German prisoners of war from the Middle East. This decision, however, in no way alters our determination to repatriate all German prisoners of war before the end of 1948.

For the repatriation of prisoners of war from the United Kingdom, the problem is less acute, and we have decided to increase the monthly rate of repatriation from 15,000 to 20,000, starting in December.

Will my hon. Friend see that the disappointment which will be quite naturally felt by many prisoners of war on account of the slowing up of repatriation in the Middle East is carefully explained to them, and the reasons for it given?

Certainly. We shall speed up repatriation again as soon as possible, and as soon as shipping allows.