§ 10. Mr. STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any steps are being taken to obtain the release from internment in Holland of officers and men of His Majesty's Forces who have been so interned for three years and upwards; whether he is aware that considerable hardships are being suffered by interned naval officers owing to the exchange value of the £ sterling having fallen from 12.10 to 9.21, while the purchasing power of the gulden, owing to high prices, is now only about half what it formerly was; and 1560 whether he can see his way to continue payments at 12.10, as the Army does, to interned officers in view of the fact that those naval officers without private means find it difficult to live?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, the British Mission to the Hague has a very wide discretion as regards the subjects which may be discussed, and I have no doubt they will not lose sight of the position of the officers and men interned in Holland. As regards the rate of exchange, the pay of naval officers, whether prisoners of war in enemy countries or interned in neutral countries, is adjusted on the current rate as computed each, month, following the War Office practice as regards Army officers. The hardship devolving on the officers interned in Holland in consequence of the decline in the purchasing power of the gulden has been met by a recent increase amounting to 50 per cent. in the rate of the daily allowance which is authorised for these officers so as, I hope, to recoup them for their expenses in respect of food.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre Royal Naval Air Service pilots interned in the early part of the War still on the strength of the Admiralty?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.