§ 7. Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a certain number of retired and Reserve British officers have been interned at Schloss Celle since the outbreak of war; that these gentlemen are not counted by the German Government as civilians for the purpose of wholesale exchange nor as officers for the purpose of transfer to Switzerland, though many are seriously ill and several are over sixty years of age; and whether special representations have been or will be made on behalf of these gentlemen who have taken no part in the War?
§ Mr. FORSTERFrequent representations have been made regarding the retired British officers over military age who have been interned by the German authorities in entire disregard of all agreements made with them. It is hoped that arrangements will shortly be made whereby Reserve and retired officers who are invalids shall be treated for purposes of repatriation and transfer to Switzerland as are serving officers, and that all who are advanced in years may be transferred to Switzerland or some other neutral country without regard to the state of their health.
§ Mr. MALCOLMDo I understand that negotiations are now going on to secure this most desirable result?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes.