§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMS(by Private Notice) asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the statement in this morning's papers to the effect that Turkey has now ratified the Berne Agreement for an exchange of prisoners is correct; and, if so, whether he will now state to the House what are the terms of the Agreement?
Mr. HOPEThe Agreement signed at Berne on 28th December has now been ratified by the Turkish Government. Its main feature is to provide by a relatively easy medical qualification for the repatriation of all invalid combatant prisoners, irrespective of rank. It also provides for the repatriation of all members of the medical staff who are not required for the care of the prisoners who remain. One thousand British and Indian invalids are at once to be repatriated without waiting for medical formalities. The Agreement also contains articles providing for the inspection of prison camps by representatives of neutral Powers, for the better delivery of supplies and correspondence, for sanitation and opportunities for exercise, for the mitigation of punishments, and other matters. The text of the Agreement will be published immediately.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSCan the hon. Member give any indication as to how 1002 soon it is hoped the Agreement will be carried out, having in view the difficulties of transport at the present time?
§ Mr. PETOMay I ask if the Agreement has no provision in it dealing with the question of the repatriation of prisoners of war and civilian prisoners, such as members of the mercantile marine, who have been prisoners of war or interned for two or three years or more?
Mr. HOPEYes; I ought to have added that there was a provision for the repatriation of civilians, subject to certain qualifications.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSIs there not also a provision for the repatriation of men who have been prisoners for eighteen months, as in the Agreement with Germany, under which officers and non-commissioned officers are sent to Holland?
Mr. HOPEI think my hon. and learned Friend is mistaken. There is no provision for the repatriation of prisoners on the ground of time in the Agreement with Germany. There is a provision in this Agreement for transfer to a neutral country. This in the case of Turkey was considered, but, owing to transport and geographical conditions, was found to be impracticable.
§ General MCCALMONTCan my hon. Friend say who will select the thousand, and whether there are any means by which urgent cases can be brought to the notice of the authorities, in which officers' lives might be saved?
Mr. HOPEI am afraid it is not possible for anyone in our service to make that selection, but, as the arrangement will be mutual, I fully hope that the Turkish authorities will do their best to select the worst cases first, and will be aided in their judgment by our own medical officers who are prisoners.