HC Deb 18 July 1918 vol 108 cc1228-9
51. Sir J. CRAIG

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the short-age of certain articles of food available for prisoners of war exchanged into Holland, especially tea; what steps he proposes to take in the matter; whether it is the duty of any one single individual of authority to study the whole question of our prisoners of war to safeguard their interests and comforts; and, if so, will he state his name and address?

72. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether anything has yet been done to meet the complaints of prisoners of war interned in Holland that they are being slowly starved by insufficient rations?

Mr. HOPE

I will answer these two questions together. As I have already stated, the question of food supplies for our prisoners in Holland, which is causing us considerable anxiety, has been under discussion with the Dutch authorities by our Minister at the Hague and the delegates to the Hague Conference, but I prefer to make no statement on the matter until I have been able to talk it over with the delegates on their return. It is the duty of the Prisoners of War Department, of which Lord Newton is the head, to study the interests of our prisoners of war in the hands of the enemy; but the War Office, the Admiralty, and other Departments exercise a concurrent authority in many branches of their work.

Sir J. CRAIG

Would it not be possible to place the whole question of the prisoners of war in the hands of one Cabinet Minister instead of hon. Members having to put questions down to the Prime Minister in order to find out who is responsible and who can assist them to get grievances redressed?

Mr. HOPE

That is a very large question, but it is under consideration.

Sir J. CRAIG

Is it not worth while, in such a very large question, pressing this particular point upon the Government so as to get the whole question under one Minister?

Mr. HOPE

My hon. and gallant Friend must know that considerable steps have been taken in that direction by the War Cabinet giving authority to Lord Curzon to determine questions concerning prisoners of war where there is a difference of opinion between the different Departments concerned.

Sir J. CRAIG

He has not the time for it.