My telegram No. 40. [1] Prisoners of War.

1. I have now received from People's Commissariat of Foreign
Affairs a note to the following effect in reply to my notes of
10th February and 21st February. [2]

2. Information regarding all groups of Australian Prisoners of War
liberated by the Red Army will, in conformity with agreement
signed in Crimea on 11th February, be transmitted to the
Australian Legation by a representative of the People's
Commissariat for Repatriation.

3. Australian Repatriation representatives will, the note
promises, be permitted, in accordance with the terms of the above
agreement, to visit collecting camps and accommodation stations
for liberated Australian Prisoners of War.

4. There are no Australian Prisoners of War among the Allied
citizens so far liberated according to information available.

5. Regarding the question of utilization of Australian Prisoners
of War for labour purposes, as is known, the note states-Mr. Eden
in the signing of 11th February drew attention to the fact in a
special note [3] that his signature for the Government of
Australia does not apply to '6' of the agreement which refers to
the possibility of utilizing for labour purposes former Prisoners
of War and civilians.

MALONEY