§ 54. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in the country owing to the treatment meted out to German prisoners; whether he is aware that British prisoners in Germany are treated as convicts, while German prisoners in this country are treated as if they were an honourable foe; and if he will state to the House what steps he intends to take in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can only repeat that the question is receiving the most careful consideration of the Secretary of State for War.
§ 62. Colonel YATEasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of employing the German prisoners of war interned in this country on some useful work of benefit to the country generally, such as the construction of the Firth of Forth and the Clyde Ship Canal, and other works of a like nature?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe possibility of finding useful work of a public nature for German prisoners of war in this country in the neighbourhood of the camps is still receiving consideration. Up to the present no employment suitable for any large number of men has been found.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask whether the camps could not be shifted to a place where suitable work could be found?
§ Mr. TENNANTThat would involve an enormous amount of labour and considerable expense.
§ 75. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the feeling throughout the country as to the alleged luxury permitted to the German prisoners at Donington Hall, he will permit two or three Members of this House to visit it and make a report thereon for the satisfaction of the public mind?
§ Mr. TENNANTA delegation from this House is already visiting the various camps.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWho are they?
§ Mr. TENNANTTheir names have already been announced. I will give the list to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HAROLD SMITHWill these Gentlemen make a report to this House?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo; they will make unofficial reports to the War Office.
§ Mr. SMITHHaving regard to the fact that this question asks that a Committee may visit this place and make reports, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the appointment of some Committee which might make reports?
§ Mr. TENNANTAll these questions have been considered, and we felt it was more desirable that these right hon. and hon. Gentlemen should go round and visit the camps and issue such reports to us as they felt inclined without making formal reports to this House.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if anybody representing the Midlands will be on this Committee, the reason being that there is very strong feeling in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on the subject?
§ 78. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has any information which he can communicate 796 to the House regarding the arrangements made by the Ottoman Government for the reception and treatment of prisoners of war from the Allied Armies?
Mr. PRIMROSEHis Majesty's Government have no information to show that arrangements have been made by the Ottoman Government as regards British, French, or Russian prisoners of war.