§ 57. Sir EDWARD CARSONasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the increasing importance of the question of the treatment of British prisoners in Germany and elsewhere, he will consider the advisability of appointing a Minister whose whole time shall be given to the consideration of this question, and who shall be empowered to represent in this House His Majesty's Government in dealing with it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI entirely share my right hon. and learned Friend's view of the importance of this question, but, after consideration, I doubt if his suggestion is practicable. The Admiralty, War Office, Home Office, and Foreign Office are all necessarily concerned in the matter, and I do not think it would be possible to override their special authority in their respective spheres, while broad questions of general policy affecting prisoners must be and are decided by the Cabinet as a whole. The Government have, however, taken steps to secure such unity and co-ordination of control as is possible by the appointment of an interdepartmental Committee under the chairmanship of my Noble Friend Lord Newton.
§ Sir E. CARSONWill the right hon. Gentleman appoint somebody especially to devote himself to answering questions for this Committee in this House? There is Lord Newton in the House of Lords.
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, I will arrange for that.