§ Mr. STEWART(by Private Notice), on behalf of the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Peto), asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that officers of British merchant ships taken prisoners by German submarines are sent to officers' internment camps at Germany and Austria; whether negotiations have been proceeding between the German and British Governments with regard to their pay and the advance made to these officers by the German Govern- 2124 ment for the expense of their food; whether they are now being removed to men's camps on account of the British Government not having assumed responsibility for their maintenance in officers' camps, and whether he will make the necessary arrangements to prevent this additional hardship being imposed upon them?
Mr. HOPEI very much regret indeed that I have not been able to obtain from the authorities concerned the information which it is necessary to obtain in order to answer this question. I think my hon. Friend will believe that I am just as much annoyed over this fact as he would be.
§ Mr. STEWARTCould the Government not arrange for the money to be paid and put into a suspense account, and arrange later on as to the liability since the-amount is relatively very small?