§ 71. Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can state, or will ascertain, what money, what food, and what clothing are issued to British and Indian prisoners at each camp in Turkey, either by the Ottoman Government or by the company or person for whom they work?
Mr. HOPEAs the answer to this question is a lengthy one, I am circulating it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the answer circulated:
§ Clothing is issued to British prisoners in Turkey by His Majesty's Government or by the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople on their behalf. Officers receive pay from the Turkish Government at 4s. 6d. or 4s. per day, according to rank. They also receive a relief allowance from His Majesty's Government through the Netherlands Legation up to a maximum of £T18 per month. Other prisoners receive a relief allowance up to £T10 monthly but no pay except when working, as regards which the Turkish Government has slated that they receive 50 ps. to £T1 per week when employed at large working stations under the orders of the military authorities. Those employed in other work do not receive pay. According to the statements of prisoners, it would appear that they are by way of receiving from 3–5 ps. per day, which, however, does not always reach them. With regard to food, the Turkish Government has stated that British prisoners receive the same rations as Turkish soldiers, consisting, according to locality and season, of meat, vegetables, boiled wheat, bean oil, etc. Here, again, it 1210 appears from the statements of prisoners that the rations are not sufficient. Officers, as my Noble Friend is aware, receive no rations. I regret that in the absence of reports by the Netherlands Legation, whose representatives were not allowed previous to the Berne Agreement to inspect camps, His Majesty's Government have no such comprehensive information as he desires. The nearest approach to it is contained in the report by the delegates of the International Red Cross Society, who visited certain camps in the winter of 1916–17, to pages 17, 18, 21, 27, 28, 33, and 38, of which I would refer him. All the above refers to Indian prisoners equally as to Europeans.
Colonel COLLINSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the money allowance to these prisoners in Turkey is quite insufficient for them to buy necessary foodstuffs?
Mr. HOPEYes; we have been aware of that for a long time, but the Netherlands Minister has been given power to supplement it.