§ LORD KNARKSBOROUGH rose to ask His Majesty's Government—
- 1. Whether there are any Regulations in force limiting the amount of money that may be supplied to, or be in the possession of, German prisoners in this country.
- 2. Whether there are any Regulations in force limiting or restricting the manner in which money may be spent by German prisoners, or the objects on which it may be spent.
- 3. Whether, as far as Regulations are concerned, German prisoners may indulge themselves to an unlimited extent in luxuries such as costly wines and cigars, spring salmon, early vegetables, and delicacies of every sort and kind that may be obtainable in this country.
- 4. What the Regulations are affecting these questions in case any such exist; and to move for Papers.
§ We, all know that the position of German prisoners in this country, as far as comfort and luxury are concerned, is very much better than it would be if they were in their own country or in the fighting line in France, and there is also a very strong opinion in the country that they are better off as regards meat and cheese and many essentials of life than the ordinary civilian population. There are many stories in circulation, some of them no doubt exaggerated, but some of them to my certain knowledge with very good foundation, to the effect that they are allowed to buy, and do buy, expensive wines, expensive cigars, early salmon, and many other luxuries which were scarce enough before, and which are made more scarce by these purchases.
§ The general opinion in the country seems to be that our fighting men have fought like Christians and gentlemen; nevertheless, they have been treated in Germany as sinners and criminals; whereas when German prisoners are brought here they are not treated exactly like saints, but they are treated as very estimable persons whom we are delighted to honour. There cannot be any village or town in England or Scotland where there is not either some former inhabitant who has gone to the war, or some 841 relations or friends of the inhabitants who are intimately connected with prisoners in Germany; and when they hear the sort of stories which we are continually hearing, and which I am told are well founded, of German officer prisoners lounging about well-kept lawns in flannels, with servants behind them carrying deck-chairs, smoking the best cigars, and drinking the best wines, and living in luxury, I cannot wonder that they are filled with indignation.
§ Then there is another thing which is much commented upon. At this time, when we are told that petrol is so scarce that it is almost impossible to get it for the most necessary business purposes, German prisoners are continually conveyed in motor-cars both to and from the railway stations, to the camps and to their work, over distances which they could walk without the slightest hardship, and which certainly English prisoners in Germany would be compelled to walk in every case.
§ I am not going to enlarge upon barbarities and questions of that sort, but what I believe the people of this country want—certainly most of the men and quite certainly all the women, for the women are much stronger and more clear-sighted in these matters than the men, and they will have to be reckoned with at the next Election—is that the Government should ascertain, as it is perfectly easy to do, exactly what the conditions of life are for English officers in Germany, and that these conditions should be introduced as far as possible in this country. We do not want to introduce the filthy and disgusting habits of the Germans, but we think that what is good enough for English prisoners in Germany ought to be good enough for German prisoners in England. There are many people who wish to bring this view before the Government, but they are in the dark. They do not know what the Regulations are at present, and the only means of discovering these things is by asking Questions in one of the two Houses of Parliament. It is for this reason, to find out what these Regulations are, that I am troubling the House with this Question.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE WAR OFFICE (EARL STANHOPE)My Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord has put this Question, because I think there is a good deal of misunderstanding as to the treatment meted out to German 842 prisoners in this country. There is a series of Regulations and War Office letters dealing with the subject, and, if my answers to the noble Lord's Questions are not sufficiently clear or full, I shall be glad to show them to him or anybody else who cares to see them.
In all officer prisoners of war camps tokens are used in lieu of money, and no officer prisoner of war is allowed to have in his possession any paper money or coin other than copper, nickel, or corresponding metal. In other prisoners of war camps prisoners are limited to £1, unless for some purpose duly authorised by the Commandant. Purchases by officer prisoners of war are made through the canteens of their camps, and they are limited in the purchase of foodstuffs by amounts which are given in a War Office Letter. I might, perhaps, read the important items in it. They are allowed to purchase up to 20 ozs. of meat, including fresh meat with bone and preserved meat; 20 ozs. of fresh or preserved fish; 7 ozs. of sugar; 56 ozs. of bread; 8 ozs. of flour, and so on for smaller things, such as cereals, dried peas, beans, and lentils; No prisoner of war is allowed to receive any foodstuff other than those mentioned from anywhere in the United kingdom or the Channel Islands. Of course, if food was sent in from abroad they would be permitted to receive it.
In regard to combatants other than officers and to civilian prisoners, purchases are restricted to articles sold by the prisoners of war canteens. These are conducted by the Navy and Army Canteen Board, and no food is sold at these canteens except potatoes and herrings to a limited amount, and sauerkraut, which the Ministry of Food is anxious to get rid of. Other articles are things such as buttons, pencils, and so on—I have the list here if the noble Lord would care to see it.
In regard to the third Question I think I have already dealt with the subject of food; I have said that they can purchase only fish up to 20 ozs., and they are limited in the amount of money that they may spend, so that salmon, I think, is not very likely. Officers may purchase light wines such as claret, burgundy, hock, and moselle; light beers and stout, when they can get them, which is not very often; and they may only purchase these at definite hours, which are the same as those available for the British public. They 843 may only consume those intoxicants in the public rooms, and may not take them to their quarters. Spirits may not be purchased, or liqueurs, or champagnes, or anything of that kind. Civilian prisoners are allowed to purchase one pint of light wine daily if it is sent from abroad. At the Privilege Camp at Douglas prisoners may purchase light wine daily without its coming from abroad.
Non-commissioned officers and men are not allowed to have any intoxicating liquor at all. With regard to tobacco, prisoners of all ranks are limited to ¾ oz. a week. They may receive presents of tobacco from abroad, and I understand that cigars are sent from Germany to the officer prisoners here. I have not seen those cigars, and still less tried them, but from what I have heard of them I do not think your Lordships would think they are a luxury; at any rate, it has been reported more than once that the German Army complain very bitterly of the cigars supplied to them in the field.
With regard to clothing, prisoners may purchase only such clothing as the commandant considers necessary for their immediate use. The amount of baggage they may have in the camp is limited, and the amount they may take with them on repatriation or internment in a neutral country is strictly limited; it varies from 130 lbs. for officers down to a much lower amount for the rank and file.
§ LORD KNARESBOROUGHThere is one thing I do not quite understand with regard to the amount of money they are allowed to have. We know that the German officer prisoners are allowed 4s. to 4s. 6d. a day, which, I believe, is in the shape of tokens and in lieu of rations. Is that so?
§ EARL STANHOPEThey are only allowed to have tokens up to £1 in value. There is no actual Regulation as to how quickly they may spend it, but they have to satisfy the commandant that they have spent their £1 before they are allowed tokens for another £1. The commandant naturally withholds his permission unless he is satisfied that the money has been properly spent.
§ LORD KNARESBOROUGHI believe there is no limit to the price they may pay for any particular object. An ordinary civilian can buy only 10d. worth of meat in a week—two coupons at 5d. each; but 844 German officers are allowed 16 ozs. of fresh meat and 4 ozs. of preserved meat a week; and the allegation is that it pays a butcher better to send his best meat to the internment camps. I do not know that there is very much in it, but that is the allegation. As I have said, I understand that there is no limit on the amount the prisoner may pay for anything, but he must not spend more than a certain amount of money. Is that so?
§ EARL STANHOPEI think that is the case; but if the noble Lord will allow me I will go into the matter and communicate with him later.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORDoes the noble Lord press his Motion?
§ LORD KNARESBOROUGHNo.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.