HC Deb 21 March 1917 vol 91 cc1892-3
29. Mr. PETO

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any proposals have been put forward through the good offices of neutral Powers for arranging with the enemy reciprocally for the internment in a neutral country or countries of all prisoners of war who were captured in the years 1914 and 1915; and, if not, whether he is prepared to put forward the proposal?

Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

A proposal to intern in a neutral country as many as can be provided for of the officers and men who have been longest in captivity is now before the War Cabinet. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to a statement made in another place by my Noble Friend Lord Newton yesterday.

Mr. PETO

Will my hon. Friend do his utmost to see that these negotiations, if they are initiated, arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, and save those men from a further term of imprisonment under present conditions?

Mr. HOPE

I am afraid the matter is removed into a sphere too exalted for me to enter.

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