HC Deb 01 March 1915 vol 70 cc557-9
84. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give particulars of the money expended, or to be expended, at Donington Park in adapting and furnishing the residence for the reception of prisoners of war; and under which Vote in the Army Estimates this expenditure will be accounted for?

Mr. TENNANT

The cost of adaptation is estimated at:—£1,750 for structural alterations, additions and repairs to the house; £2,500 for reconstruction, extension and repair of sanitation; £2,100 for hutting; £1,950 for electric lighting and power house; £450 for fencing and gates—a total of £8,800 chargeable to Army Vote 10, all buildings, fittings and fixtures being removable at or before the expiration of the tenancy. The cost of furnishing is estimated at £4,200, chargeable to Army Vote 8. The general scale is that of a sergeants' mess. I shall be glad to send the hon. Gentleman a list of the articles of the sergeants' mess.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

For how many people is accommodation provided?

Mr. TENNANT

I have already stated that 320 officers and flighty soldier prisoners, servants.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

For £8,500?

Mr. TENNANT

There is £4,200 for furniture. The rest is for structural alterations, in order to make the building habitable.

Mr. M'NEILL

Is it customary to provide billiard rooms for the sergeants' mess?

Mr. TENNANT

I believe that has been done. I am not quite aware of the custom.

Mr. HOGGE

How many more country houses are the War Office going to rebuild for the comfort of German prisoners?

Mr. TENNANT

Of course that all depends. If we could get other premises we should like it.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this house has been for a long time untenanted, and whether the alterations which the Government propose to carry out are not any more than are absolutely necessary in order to make it fit for habitation?

Mr. TENNANT

That is my belief. I have not had the opportunity, as I have had other things to do, of going down to see this place. Am I right in understanding that the Noble Lord has visited it?

Lord ROBERT CECIL

I have not.

Mr. TENNANT

I had hoped that he would have been able to give first-hand information. When you think of making an untenanted house into a place fit to receive 400 people, which is a very large number, I do not really think that it is an outrageous suggestion.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show that British officers who are prisoners in Germany are afforded similar quarters?

Mr. W. THORNE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he thinks, in consequence of the extraordinary treatment which they are receiving, these gentlemen will ever want to go back to Germany?

Mr. TENNANT

We are a very hospitable nation. I am unable to speak with authority on the question addressed to me by the right hon. Gentleman opposite. He knows that we are taking every kind of measure we can to ascertain the nature of the treatment of our own fellow subjects in Germany, and I shall be glad to afford him the information, which he knows we are endeavouring to get, at the earliest opportunity.

87. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the German prisoners of war at Donington Park were taken by motor car from Derby in order to save them the hardship of marching a few miles on foot; whether the British soldiers sent to Donington to guard the prisoners received the same consideration; whether a number of interned German waiters have been sent to Donington to serve as valets to the imprisoned officers; and if he can say whether British officers imprisoned in Germany are receiving similar treatment?

Mr. TENNANT

Motor transport was provided for the prisoners, guard and baggage from Derby to Donington Hall. Some German soldier prisoners—in the proportion of one to every four officers, and a few additional for general purposes—have been sent to Donington Hall for duty. It is understood that soldier prisoners are told off as servants to officers interned in Germany.

Mr. M'NEILL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the distance which the motors had to take these gentlemen?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not think that it is far. I do not know how far.

Mr. M'NEILL

Does the right hon. Gentleman see any reason why they should not be marched by road.

Mr. TENNANT

It is considered more desirable to adopt this course.