asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to allow the Polish displaced persons in Germany to communicate with their families in Poland.

Regular postal services are available between all Allied displaced persons located in assembly centres in the British zone of Germany and their next-of-kin in other countries. The services operate in both directions, but next-of-kin may originate correspondence only after they have received their first letter.

While I thank the Minister for his reply, is he aware that nearly a fortnight ago these people were under the impression that they were not able to communicate with their relatives at home?

The fact is that a special postal service has been in operation for some time between Polish displaced persons in the British zone and their relatives in Poland, but this arrangement was superseded on 20th October by a service which is provided now for all displaced persons in the British zone, which provides free postal facilities with next-of-kin in their own countries.