§ 2. Mr. POLLOCKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether leave is being given to German men under seventeen or over fifty-five years of age and to Austro-Hungarian men under eighteen or over fifty years of age to return to Germany and Austria-Hungary, respectively, from this country; whether he will state at what date the above standards of ago are calculated; and whether there is evidence that German and Austro-Hungarian men both below and above the standards of age specified are being employed at the present time in fighting against this country or our Allies?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Neil Primrose)Under agreements with Germany and Austria-Hungary, German and Austro-Hungarian men have, within the age limits specified in the question, and subject to certain exceptions, been allowed to return to Germany and Austria-Hungary respectively. The standards of age have been calculated, in the case of German subjects, from 28th October, the date on which the agreement with Germany was concluded, and, in the case of Austro-Hungarian subjects, from 4th October, when the agreement with Austria-Hungary was concluded. His Majesty's Government have no evidence in support of the suggestion made in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. POLLOCKBefore repatriation, is any condition asked for or undertaking given by the men or their Government that they shall not be employed against this country or our Allies?