§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK(by Private Notice) asked whether it is the fact that the Central Prisoners of War Committee have received notice that no further parcels for prisoners of war in Germany, Austria, or Holland can be accepted for transmission, and what is the reason for this action?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)There has recently been a large accumulation in this country of parcels for prisoners of war in Germany owing to the inevitable irregularity of sailings to Holland. I hope it will not be long now before the accumulation has been cleared off.
§ Mr. BLISSIs it the fact that the authorities at the Admiralty are putting dffiiculties in the way of providing escorts for such ships as might take many of these parcels?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI shall require notice of that question.
§ Mr. LOUGHHave we to understand that the difficulties are only on this side, and that if the parcels are got across they will be delivered in Germany as usual?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHSo far as I know, it is purely a question of the difficulty of providing shipping.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIn view of the hardships involved to prisoners of war, can the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that these difficulties will be overcome at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIt would be difficult to give a guarantee, but I can say that certainly no efforts will be spared in order to get the parcels to the soldiers.