§ 4. Mr. ALDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information regarding the present position of the Polish refugees in Russia; and whether he can state the condition of the Poles in that part of Poland which is in the occupation of Germany, especially as regards the supply of the necessaries of life?
§ Lord R. CECILI have no special information as to the Polish refugees in Russia, but I belief the work of relief has been energetically carried on by Russion committees, to which considerable sums of money have been subscribed in this country. Reports as to the population in Poland are conflicting, because the enemy Governments at one moment proclaim their complete ability to feed the whole population and at the next moment appeal for relief from neutral countries. But I believe that the situation in many parts of Poland is deplorable, and that the population is exposed to all the sufferings which can be caused by a deliberate and systematic abstraction of foodstuffs of all kinds, and a drastic oppression of labour by the invaders.
§ Mr. ALDENHas the Noble Lord any information to show that Germany has commandeered the new harvest in Poland?
§ Lord R. CECILNo, Sir. I do not think the new harvest is yet actually being gathered, but I am afraid there is only too much reason to believe that Germany contemplates commandeering the new harvest