§ 58. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British prisoners at Doeberitz, Germany, both naval and military, are in great need of warm clothing; whether he is aware that quantities of warm clothing have been sent out to Germany from this country to add to the comfort of these prisoners; whether he is aware that none of these comforts have reached the prisoners; and whether he will make inquiries on this matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTUnofficial reports in the sense mentioned in the first part of the question have been received. Four hundred suits of uniform with underclothing have been sent to Germany, and information has recently been received that these articles have, after considerable delay, reached the American Embassy in Berlin, and that their distribution has been undertaken by the staff of that Embassy.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether a large amount of clothing which has been sent to the people who are interned has not arrived?
§ Mr. TENNANTDoes the Noble Lord mean clothing sent by the War Office?
§ Lord C. BERESFORDNo, by friends of these people.
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not able to answer that. If the Noble Lord will give me notice of the question, I will inquire.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman look into the question whether it is not desirable to issue definite warnings as to the channels which may be employed in communicating with prisoners in Germany? Is he aware that 135 great failures have already occurred in communicating with these people in Germany?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, I think that has already been done. I will endeavour to see that wider circulation is given to the instructions.
Sir GILBERT PARKERMay I ask whether the agency of a neutral country is employed in seeing that the delivery of clothing and relief sent to prisoners is properly attended to?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy answer is that it is the American Embassy.