§ 38. Mr. TURTONasked the Home Secretary whether, as owing to the diminution of crime the gaols are not fully occupied, he will arrange for a 960 transfer of the criminals so as to hand over an empty prison (or two) to the War Office for the accommodation of German prisoners of war, thereby saving the taxpayers the sums of money that are now being spent on country mansions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)The accommodation afforded by prisons would be unsuitable and not in accordance with the requirements of The Hague Convention respecting the treatment of prisoners of war. I may add that the Prison Commissioners have already placed at the disposal of the War Office for use as military prisons three small prisons and portions of two prisons which could be set free for this purpose.
§ 46. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister if the Government will give a list of places where German officers are imprisoned and the amounts of money the Government have spent on each place?
Mr. BAKERI shall be prepared to give the Noble Lord such a statement, but the information as to the expenditure will, I am afraid, take some time to collect.