§ General McCALMONTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the indignation at the unnecessarily favourable treatment allowed to prisoners of war in this country; and whether he will appoint a committee immediately to investigate and report on the conditions under which they live?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNone of the answers which I gave recently would go to show that prisoners of war receive unnecessary favourable treatment either as regards food or travel. Their food is the minimum which the medical authorities and Ministry of Food allow. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ General McCALMONTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no mention in the question of food, and is he aware that there are many cases, such as matters of discipline and the amount of work prisoners do, which attract a great deal of public attention?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, I took it the question in the main dealt with favour- 1870 able treatment with regard to two questions, namely, food and travel. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any specific case where he states that these prisoners of war have been unnecessarily well treated, I will certainly look into it.
§ General McCALMONTIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that they are to be found largely in the Press?
§ Sir IVOR PHILIPPSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Monday last German prisoners were driven in motor cars through the streets of London, while our own men had to march carrying their baggage?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of that.
§ Sir IVOR PHILIPPSWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire who gave the order?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHIs there any evidence of any indignation, as alleged in this question, outside the narrow and un-chivalrous circles?