32. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked what are the special conditions to which prisoners from German submarines are subject?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am informed that pending the fitting up of a fort which is intended to be their separate place of internment, the German submarine prisoners 806 taken since 18th February are at Chatham and Devenport Detention Barracks. They are not kept in solitary confinement, but are allowed to exercise in company between breakfast and dinner, and between dinner and supper. Smoking is also allowed at certain hours. The officers are allowed to use the gymnasium, and a room has been provided as a smoking room. Their dietary is equivalent to the Government rations supplied to the ordinary prisoners of war, and they are permitted within limits to supplement this dietary by purchase out of money sent them by their friends. The officers will receive pay at 2s. 6d. a day. They are permitted to write letters and to receive letters and parcels within the usual limits. Facilities for obtaining German or English books are accorded to them. They are not forced to undertake any labour, but it is open to them to do so if they wish. The men are allowed to wait on the officers and clean their rooms.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIn what respect does their treatment differ from that accorded to ordinary prisoners of war?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey are kept separate.
§ Dr. MACNAMARASpeaking offhand, yes.
Sir H. DALZIELCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why an announcement was made bearing an entirely different interpretation as to how they were to be treated?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know to what my right hon. Friend refers. He should read this statement with the statement made the day before yesterday.
Sir H. DALZIELIf it is the case that these officers are so well treated as the right hon. Gentleman has now explained, why was an announcement made which indicated to the public that they were to be treated very severely indeed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs far as I know, the policy laid down was that after 18th February they were to be separated and kept by themselves.
Sir H. DALZIELIs it not the case that the answer says that they are not separated, but that they are allowed to exercise along with other prisoners?
§ Dr. MACNAMARALet there be no misunderstanding about that. The answer is that they are not in solitary confinement. They are allowed to exercise in company. The point I am trying to make is that they are kept separate from other prisoners of war.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman have that important answer communicated to the American Embassy in order that it may be made public in Germany?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAwas understood to assent.
§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGERHave any arrangements been made since yesterday to allow an independent American representative to see these prisoners and how they are treated?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon. Member will remember that on Tuesday the First Lord said that he was quite ready to have an impartial examination of that sort in return for a similar examination in Germany. Whether anything has been done in the meantime I cannot say offhand.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an opportunity offers at the present moment to have that examination made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will consider that, yes.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not the report in to-day's papers that the American Embassy in Germany has inspected the conditions of detention of the thirty-nine British officers is correct, and, if so, whether that complies with the condition laid down by the First Lord?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot say offhand.