HC Deb 06 July 1916 vol 83 cc1668-9
65. Mr. MALCOLM

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any representatives of British philanthropic societies are officially allowed to visit or supply food and comforts to German prisoner camps in Great Britain; and will he give the names of such societies and their representatives, the amount of money, and the approximate cash value of food supplied by them during the past twelve months?

Mr. TENNANT

Certain members of the "Emergency Committee for the assistance of Germans, Austrians and Hungarians in distress, "which is "convened by the Religious Society of Friends," have been permitted to visit internment camps in this country. Mrs. Anna Braithwaite Thomas and Mr. W. Hanbury Aggs are respectively the hon. secretary and treasurer of this committee. With the exception of some seeds, which it is hoped will produce vegetables, no food or money for its purchase is supplied by this committee to any internment camp.

Mr. G. FABER

Are not the civilian camps visited by philanthropic institutions?

Mr. TENNANT

I dare say that is so; I do not know.

Mr. MALCOLM

May I ask why there is no mention of the case of Dr. Markel, who monthly supplies money from the German Red Cross to the prisoners?

Mr. TENNANT

I understand that no money is allowed: that is my information.