§ 59. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information showing that Mr. John B. Jackson, of the United States Embassy in Berlin, has been nominated by the German Government to inspect on their behalf the conditions obtaining at the various internment encampments in this country; and, if so, will he, with the consent of the United States Embassy in London, nominate a gentleman to inspect and report on the conditions as to the treatment and food of British prisoners of war in German internment encampments?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Baker)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, although some of the German camps have already been visited by officials attached to the United States Embassies in Berlin and London, it is thought that, instead of periodical visits, more satisfactory results would be obtained by the institution of a definite scheme under which United States officials lent by the United States Governments for the purpose would be in permanent touch with the Commandants of the various camps and, through them, with committees formed from among the prisoners with a view to improving their condition. The United States Government have courteously submitted such a scheme to the German Government and I will make a further statement upon it as soon as I can.