Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 46. (1998)
LEBENSAFT, Elisabeth – MENTSCHL, Christoph: Vom Service de Prestation zur Alien Labour Company. Ein Beitrag österreichischer Flüchtlinge im Kampf gegen NS-Deutschland, dargestellt nach britischen Quellen
Elisabeth Lebensaft und Christoph Mentschl ANHANG FO 371/24325, S. 172-174 Memorandum of Agreement 1. German nationals liable for the services defined by the decree-law of the 12th April, 1939, concerning foreigners benefiting by the right of sanctuary, and the decrees appertaining to its application, will be temporarily placed at the disposal of the Commander in Chief, British Expeditionary Force on French soil, for the carrying out of these duties in the capacity of „prestataires“. Nevertheless, the French Government reserves the right of withdrawing, at any moment, those German nationals who, in view of Article 7 of the decree of January 13th, 1940, appear to them fitted for assignment to individual duties for the benefit of the French Government. 2. The Commander in Chief, British Expeditionary Force, will be responsible for the organisation of these „prestataires“ into working units, the employment of these units, provision of the necessary cadres, clothing, equipment, housing, feeding, pay, medical attention, and the upkeep in general of the „prestataires“. Nevertheless, hospital accommodation for the „prestataires“ will be provided by the French authorities; the costs of their medical care in hospital will be reimbursed by the British Military authorities. 3. The „prestataires“ will be formed into Units under Military cadres provided, partly by the British military authorities and partly by the French military authorities. The French Army will supply one officer for four companies, and one N.C.O. in each company. 4. „Prestataires“, being subject to French military discipline, are under French military jurisdiction. 5. The leave arrangements for the „prestataires“ shall be the same as those for „prestataires“ in the service of the French military authorities. The travelling expenses of „prestataires“ on leave shall be paid by the British military authorities. 6. „Prestataires“ will not receive regular wages. They will receive the pay and allowances of a French soldier and may also qualify for an output allowances at the rate of from 25 centimes to 1.50 francs per hour for special work. Military allowances will be paid to the families of „prestataires“ in accordance with the regulations regarding „prestataires“ in the service of the French military authorities, the cost of such allowance being refunded to the French Government by the British military authorities. 7. Pensions and gratuities will be accorded to „prestataires“ who are the victims of accidents in accordance with such provisions of French law as are or may become applicable to them. Such pensions and gratuities will be fixed after previous consultation with the British military authorities and will be refunded to the French Government by the British military authorities. Claims to discharge for reasons of health will be submitted to the local French military authority. 104
