HC Deb 22 April 1918 vol 105 c675
31. Mr. PETO

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can say if the difference of opinion with the German Government as to the status of all officers of the mercantile marine interned in this country and in Germany has now been settled; whether there are still fifty-four officers of the British mercantile marine still interned in Ruhleben over forty-five years of age who are entitled to repatriation under the agreement arrived at on the 2nd January, 1917; whether ho can state how many German officers of the German mercantile marine are still interned in this country awaiting repatriation under the same agreement; and when he anticipates this exchange will be completed?

Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

I regret to have to state that the difference of opinion with the German Government has not yet been settled. Approximately, 100 ships' officers over the age of forty-five are still interned at Ruhleben, including engineers and officers of trawlers and fishing vessels. I understand that between eighty and ninety German ships' officers of the like age are interned in civilian camps here who were captured before November, 1916. The figures of those captured after that date are, unfortunately, not at present available. The repatriation of the above-mentioned officers is proceeding, and I have no reason to suppose that they will not be sent home as fast as the claims of other classes of prisoners and shipping facilities admit.