HC Deb 29 June 1916 vol 83 cc1001-2
2. Mr. MALCOLM

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, under an agreement between the French and German Governments, 1,275 French and 257 Belgian civilian invalids have been transferred from pri- soner camps in Germany to Switzerland; and will he state what are the difficulties which prevent British civilian invalids being similarly interned in Switzerland?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)

The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative; as he is aware, we have recently proposed to the German Government that they should repatriate all the British prisoners at Ruhle-ben in exchange for a similar number of Germans, and we are awaiting the reply to this proposal. It would be much the easiest and best solution of the question.

Mr. MALCOLM

In regard to the right hon. Gentleman's answer to the first part of the question, will be make inquiries and get the figures?

Sir E. GREY

Yes, I will do that.

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