HC Deb 24 January 1902 vol 101 cc782-3
MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether lists of the names and nationalities of the Boer prisoners are in possession of the Government; whether any Foreign Powers have made representations to the Government as to the prisoners of war claiming foreign allegiance; and if so, to what effect, and were any such representations in writing; will he state whether officers and men of the Gloucester Regiment, formerly prisoners to the Boers in Pretoria, have been selected to act as guards to the prisoners in Ceylon; is there any system of independent inspection as to the condition and treatment of prisoners of war, as in British convict prisons, whereby such prisoners can make complaints of alleged ill-treatment or appeal to a superior authority, are records of punishment inflicted on prisoners of war preserved, how many sentences of penal discipline or solitary confinement, or loss of privileges have been inflicted on the Boer prisoners in Ceylon, and how many such sentences were inflicted on prisoners claiming American, French, Dutch, German, and Irish nationality.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

Printed lists of the prisoners of war are in possession of the Government, giving their addresses, but not their nationalities. Foreign Powers have made representations from time to time through the Foreign Office with regard to their "nationals" who were prisoners of war. These representations were mostly in writing, and chiefly dealt with their release on parole. All prisoners of war are treated on the same principle as to detention, without respect of nationality. The Gloucester Regiment was sent to Ceylon, as it was due to return to India: it is probable that it contained many of the men who had been captured by the enemy. In all the camps prisoners can make complaints to superior authority through the camp commandant. Foreign consuls have had access to prisoners of war claiming their assistance. Records of punishments are kept. No information as to the further points raised in the last part of the question is available.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Are there any means by which the records of punishment can be seen, so as to tell their distribution over the various nationalities?

MR. BRODRICK

I do not know if complete lists can be shown, but I will inquire.