§ 43. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he has yet any information from the Dutch Government as to the punishments inflicted by the Germans on our officer prisoners at Crefeld; where the prisoners at Crefeld have been moved to; and whether he is aware that no letters have come through from such prisoners for approximately two months?
Mr. HOPEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. We are informed by the Netherland Minister at Berlin that the camps to which the officers from Crefeld have been transferred are Claustal, Schwarmstedt, and Siroecken. We have inquired by telegraph whether any officers have been 1599 sent to other camps. With regard to the last part of the question, postcards have certainly come through, but I have no information as to letters. Telegraphic inquiries have been made as to whether there are any special restrictions on the correspondence of the officers in question. If the punishments have been inflicted for attempts at escape, I have reason to hope that the position of these officers will be favourably affected should the provisional agreement concluded at The Hague be ratified.