HC Deb 15 April 1915 vol 71 cc34-5
10. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an arrangement has been made through the medium of the Swedish Government by which a number of German and Russian prisoners of war have been or are about to be exchanged; and whether there is any intention to approach the Dutch or other neutral Government so that by its good offices an exchange of German for British prisoners of war may be effected?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

An arrangement has been recently concluded between the Russian and German Governments through the medium of the Swedish Government for the exchange of Russian and German incapacitated prisoners of war. It has also been arranged that Russians and Germans under the age of seventeen and above forty-five are to be allowed to return to their respective countries. Certain persons of rank, Consuls, and retired officers, are to be exchanged. With regard to the second part of the question, no exchanges of prisoners of war beyond those referred to in White Paper No. 8, 1915, are at present in contemplation.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is it the fixed policy of the Government not to consider any exchanges except those which have been already determined upon?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not say it is the fixed policy of the Government or the contrary. I should say we are open to effecting exchanges and repatriations wherever we see it is possible to do so.

11. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the figures officially published in Germany as to the alleged number of prisoners of war captured by Germany and Austria-Hungary; whether any estimate has been formed as to the accuracy, approximate or otherwise, of these figures; and whether he can say if the Allies have considered, or will adopt, the policy of publishing the numbers of German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Turkish prisoners of war?

Mr. TENNANT

I am unable to say if the figures published in Germany of the alleged number of prisoners of war captured by Germany and Austria-Hungary are correct. It is not the intention of the War Office to adopt the proposal contained in the last paragraph of my hon. Friend's question.