HC Deb 07 August 1918 vol 109 cc1351-2
46. Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Prime Minister which Department of the Government is responsible for keeping the records of actions committed by enemy Governments and their agents contrary to international law, including, for instance, such acts of barbarity as the murder of Nurse Cavell and Captain Fryatt, for which the Government, by their own undertaking, or that of their predecessors, are pledged to exact punishment when the proper time arrives; if he will state what steps are being taken to keep an accurate and complete record of these crimes as they are committed from time to time; and, if the existing staff of the Department concerned is inadequate for the purpose, whether he will give instructions for supplementing same, in view of the ample justification for any expenditure incurred thereby?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 16th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

Sir F. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the previous reply no notification is given as to what steps are being taken to keep an accurate and complete record of these atrocities from time to time?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is mistaken. The reply gave that and nothing else.

Mr. S. MacNEILL

Could not the right hon. Gentleman supplement the staff of the Ministry of Information?