§ 44. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether negotiations have been successfully concluded for an extended system of exchange of prisoners of war by which not only prisoners with specific illness or wounds will be exchanged, but also such as have been in captivity for more than eighteen months?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)A proposal was made to the German Government on the 21st April for the transfer to neutral countries of British and German prisoners of war who have been over two years in captivity. An unsatisfactory and only semi-official reply has just been received to our proposal. We are pressing for an official reply of a more satisfactory character.
§ Mr. McNEILLWill the hon. Gentleman communicate the information when the matter is settled?
§ Mr. HOPEI shall be happy to make a communication as soon as a communication can be made, but I am afraid I cannot be very sanguine about the matter in view of what has taken place and the unsatisfactory character of the answer given.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSDoes the hon. Gentleman think that the arrangement already made between Germany and France affects that?
§ Mr. HOPEI am not quite sure to what arrangement my hon. Friend refers, but the two matters are quite distinct.
§ Mr. J. M. HENDERSONHas any definite proposal been made to repatriate wounded officers and men—German and British—in Switzerland: men who are unfit for any further military operations?
§ Mr. HOPEYes, arrangements of that character have just been made, but I am afraid it affects a very small number of officers.
§ Mr. HENDERSONWhen will it come into operation?
§ Mr. HOPEI think it is already in operation, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down.