HC Deb 26 June 1917 vol 95 cc192-3
Mr. PETO

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that information has reached this country that Captain Blaikie, of the steamship "Caledonia," was at the time of writing being transferred from the officers' internment camp in which the German authorities had placed him to a soldiers' internment camp on account of the refusal of the British Government to pay the 100 marks per month necessary to enable him to remain in the officers' internment camp; whether this also applies to some sixty captains and officers of British merchant ships: and whether he will at once communicate with Lord Newton at The Hague and send instructions that the necessary arrangements are made forthwith with a view to ensuring that these officers will in future be treated as officers?

Mr. HOPE

Such information has been unofficially received, but I cannot trace that there has been any refusal to pay monthly allowances to these officers. The matter has not hitherto been before the Government as a whole. The trouble appears to have arisen from a difference between the British and the German view as to the status of these officers. Instructions to the British delegates at The Hague are already being prepared, and will, I hope, be sent immediately. I am fully alive to the necessity of meeting the case of these gallant officers, to whom the country owes so much.

Mr. PETO

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in some eases the steamship owners have expressed themselves as perfectly willing, had they had any notice whatever with regard to this difference of opinion between the British Government and the German Government in this matter, to have paid the necessary 100 marks; that this money could have been got from other private sources if the Government had taken any objection to paying it; and will he see, whatever steps are taken, that this money is provided from some source at once?

Mr. HOPE

Yes, I have heard that. As a matter of fact, both with regard to the British Government and the owners of the ships, I do not think there is any indisposition to pay. The failure has been due, I believe, to the want of machinery for meeting these particular cases, and that, I hope, will be immediately supplied.