§ 5. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in order to lessen the facilities for escape of German officers who are prisoners of war in this country, he has given instructions that they are not to be allowed to have a suit of mufti in their possession; and, if not, whether he will at once issue instructions to that effect?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid that a slight inaccuracy crept into the answer I gave the hon. and learned Gentleman on the 28th September. The rule as to uniform being worn by military prisoners of war applies only to officers. Any officer in possession of a uniform is allowed to have no plain clothes other than a pair of flannel trousers and a sweater. In the case of prisoners of other ranks, and specially in the case of Austrian prisoners, it has not been possible to enforce the rule that uniform must be worn, because it has been impossible to obtain uniforms.
§ Mr. BUTCHERMay I ask whether in the case of officers who have not uniforms they will be supplied with such distinctive clothes as will render their escape, if not impossible, at any rate difficult?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; I believe that has been done.
§ Mr. BUTCHERHave instructions been issued?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; I think so,, but at the present moment I am not quite sure.