§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will communicate to the House such information as he may obtain regarding the arrangements made by the Ottoman Government for the reception and treatment of wounded and other prisoners of war from the allied armies?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)Certainly, but I have no information at present.
§ Sir J. D. REESHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that there are any such arrangements, and has he any means of finding out?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information. I have practically no means of finding out.
§ 45. Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked the Prime Minister whether any communications have passed, either directly or indirectly, between the British Government 1236 and that of the enemy with regard to the treatment of prisoners, both military and civil; and, if so, whether any information or assurance has been received as to the proper treatment of British prisoners?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Neil Primrose)The answer to the first part of the question is that communications have passed through the Government of the United States or its representatives. With regard to the second part, His Majesty's Government have now received through the United States Embassy a statement from the German Government on the conditions obtaining at Ruhleben camp. In this connection I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 2nd instant to the hon. Member for Hitchin.
§ Mr. S. ROBERTSAre the Government now satisfied with the treatment of our prisoners at Ruhleben?
Mr. PRIMROSEI think there is every hope that shortly arrangements will be made to make the treatment fairly satisfactory.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONHas any statement been received as to the treatment of prisoners of war at camps, other than Ruhleben, where civilians are?
Mr. PRIMROSEWe have had some statement, but I think anything we know on that point will be laid in the Papers asked for by the Noble Lord (Lord R. Cecil).
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask when those Papers will be laid?
Mr. PRIMROSEAs soon as possible; there has been no undue delay; probably in another week they will be published.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it the case that the members of Ruhleben camp are only allowed 5s. per week of the money sent from this country, although in one case as much as £30 has been sent during the last six months?
Mr. PRIMROSEI saw one ex-prisoner from Ruhleben camp and he told me they were only allowed 5s. a week; that is my authority.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the hon. Gentleman give any intimation when the Papers will be laid?