§ 48. Mr. ALBION RICHARDSONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the negotiations between France and Germany for the exchange of prisoners were begun in the second week of April, and that the agreement had been concluded and ratified by both Governments by 26th April; and whether he will draw the attention of our delegates to this example of expedition, and instruct them to imitate it?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)The hon. Member may rest assured that there will be no unnecessary delay?
§ 51. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister whether our representatives at The Hague Conference regarding the exchange of prisoners have instructions to act on the War Office view of the matter or on the view taken by this House and the country at large?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe delegates have received their instructions from the War Cabinet on the lines indicated in my reply to a Private Notice question by the hon. Member for the Tottenham Division on the 28th May.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSDoes the right hon. Gentleman mind sending further instructions to make it clear that the views enunciated by Lord Stanhope are not the views of the War Cabinet?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe instructions were, as I said, on the lines of my answer. They are quite definite. I will read them:
His Majesty's Government have entered into negotiations with a view to arranging a wide scheme of exchange, following, broadly speaking, the recently concluded Franco-German agreement.