Telegram from the British zone of occupied Germany after the Second World War about the transfer of 50 German nurses by 25 July 1948. Catalogue ref: FO 1052/487
The British zone included the following areas: North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg. Lübbecke is a town in northeast North Rhine-Westphalia in north Germany.
- What proposal is outlined here?
- Can you find out the date of the start of the National Health Service in Britain?
- Why might this proposal be linked to this?
Transcript
Control Commission for Germany (British Element)
Incoming Confidential Telegram
FROM: CONCOMB [Control Commission for Germany] LUBBECKE IYB 18947
TEL. NO. CCG 21498 RECD [Received]: 2000 26TH JUNE 1948
CONCOMB LUBBECKE TO FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.CCG 21498
OF 26TH JUNE 1948
—————————————————————————————————————-ROUTINE REPTD: BERCOMB BERLIN
Subject: Employment of German women in U.K. Reference your D2 18 to PW [Prisoners of War] and DP [Displaced Persons] Division of 17th June 1948 and your 11397 BASIC of 24th June 1948.
- At the meeting yesterday it was decided that owing to administrative difficulties it would not be possible to start the whole scheme immediately but we are making temporary arrangements to ensure arrival of the 50 nurses in the U.K. by 25th
- The following are brief details of the proposed movement arrangements of the 50 nurses.
- We propose to move them by Hannover/Hook route, i.e. the route which is at present used by distressed persons and fiances. While cost of movement will be greater by using this route- total approximately £12.10/- [10 shillings]- per head- its use is necessitated for the following reasons:
- We are unable to establish a camp at Munster or other suitable place in the time given. Whereas by using the proposed route we can utilise existing accommodation at Hannover with little or no detriment to the movement of distressed persons and fiances to the U.K.
(ii) To avoid mixing with E.V.W. [European Volunteer Worker] personnel we cannot accommodate them in present P.W. and D.P camp at Munster.
(iii) In view of the special status of these 50 nurses as compared with remaining personnel to be moved under the scheme Public Health Adviser considers that they should receive somewhat better conditions and treatment in transit.
(b) We may please have your approval to this proposal earliest so that necessary arrangements can be made.
- Reference para 6. Of your D2/18 of 17th June there are no difficulties with regard to returnability and return visas will be given to conform with the length of contracted for each individual i.e 3 years.
- Proposals regarding main scheme following in a few days.
IYB 18673 refers
INTERNAL DISTRIBUTION
ACTION: MANPOWER DIVISION
DISTRIBUTION: Chief Secretary
Central Secretarial (3)
Chief Info. Serv. Div.
Finance Div. (4)
Info. Serv. Div. (3)
- & M.C. File & Spares (6)