§ 6. Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether thirty-six British exchanged prisoners of war passed through Holland on 7th August, while eighty-five German prisoners of war were being returned in exchange for this party; and, if so, will he say for what reason such a disparity of numbers to the advantage of the enemy is permitted in the exchange of prisoners of war?
§ 92. Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether the last exchange of prisoners of war was thirty-six British for eighty-five German soldiers; and will he state the principle upon which such unequal exchanges are based?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked me to answer this question, and I will, at the same time, answer question No. 92. The actual numbers on each side passing from England to Germany and from Germany to England were thirty-six British and sixty-two Germans, respectively. Of these sixty-two Germans, nine were sanitary personnel. I would remind my hon. Friend that the repatriation of invalids is based on a certain standard of physical or mental disability, and not on equality of numbers.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no sort of relation between the numbers on one side and those on the other, and that any number of Germans might be sent home as against a very much smaller number of British?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think that would be so, because it depends on disability, and not on numbers, and I think I am right in saying that on a recent occasion when prisoners were sent to Switzerland the rule operated in our favour—there were more British than Germans.
§ Mr. G. FABERAre we to take it that the disability of the Germans returned from this country to Germany was greater than the disability of the British returned to this country?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not know whether it was greater, but there were more of them.
§ Sir E. CARSONAre we to understand there were only thirty-six British subjects who came up to the standard?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think that is so—thirty-six selected by the Selection Board in Germany.
§ Mr. MALCOLMIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in one sanatorium there are still about sixty who have got their discharges signed, most of whom are in a deplorable condition, and who cannot get to Switzerland?
§ Mr. McNEILLDoes the hon. Gentleman seriously ask the House to believe that in Germany there were only thirty-six British prisoners of war who reached the standard of incapacity for exchange, and that His Majesty's Government accept that on the statement of the authorities in Germany?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not ask my hon. Friend to accept that, and he knows I do not. What I do ask him to accept is that thirty-six was the number passed by the Selection Board.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWhy are thirty-six equivalent to eighty-five?