asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to announce a scheme under which former German prisoners of war may be allowed to travel to Germany for a period of leave.

It has not proved feasible to introduce a scheme for leave to Germany for German ex-prisoners of war who are, in any case, due to return to that country by the end of this year, but should any German ex-prisoners of war be offered employment in this country after the end of 1948 and accept such an offer, they will be given the opportunity of a visit to Germany before the end of this year.

Why did my hon. Friend hold out hope, only a few weeks ago, that such a scheme might be introduced?

We can now say that a scheme will be introduced for the second class, but I am sorry to say that in respect of the first class it is impracticable to work out a scheme for those who will return to Germany before the end of this year—in some cases, long before.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that those who have already agreed to stay, and who have a continuing responsibility to stay during 1948, will get this leave facility?

Any who stay over the end of the year 1948 will get the privilege of leave in Germany before the end of that year, provided that the scheme for staying over after the end of the year comes into operation.