§ 55. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary for War if he could give the House any information regarding the manner in which Indian soldier prisoners are treated by the Germans, where they are imprisoned, and whether he has any official information to the effect that no quarter is given to Indian soldiers on the battlefield?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)I would refer my hon. Friend to my predecessor's speech in another place on the 15th May last and the information contained in Parliamentary Paper Cd. 7861, No. 2, Enclosure 2 (5). The question of obtaining improvements in the treatment of Indian prisoners of war in Germany is now under consideration in consultation with the Prisoners of War Help Committee. I have no information as regards the second part of the question.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been alleged and published in India and that it has caused considerable feeling there?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have seen statements to that effect, but I have no information that is really trustworthy and I doubt the accuracy of those statements.
§ Colonel YATEHas the right hon. Gentleman heard of a case where, on a trench 787 being taken by an Indian regiment, they found two Sepoys hanging from a tree in a German trench?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, I have not heard of that particular case. Of course we have all heard of cases of reported outrageous treatment of our fellow subjects, both natives of this country and natives of India. I have no information that a distinction is being made to the disadvantage of Indian prisoners.