§ 77. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) the precise arrangements which are now in force for the dispatch of parcels to the British officers and men prisoners of war in Turkey; whether the terms of the Central Prisoners of War circulars of 27th May and 4th June, 1918, are being adhered to as regards contents of parcels and otherwise for British officers and men prisoners of war in Turkey; and, if there has been any departure from these terms, what is the reason of it?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)The arrangements at present in force for the dispatch of parcels to 2379 British prisoners of war in Turkey are those described in the circulars from the Central Prisoners of War Committee referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, the terms of which are being strictly adhered to. I may add that the transmission of parcels overland through Austria-Hungary has not yet been resumed, and that facilities are being afforded for the dispatch of parcels to Alexandria for shipment to Turkey by the vessel carrying out the repatriations under the Berne agreement.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCan the hon. Gentleman say when it is probable that the dispatch of these parcels to Austria will be resumed?
§ Mr. EVELYN CECIL (by private Notice)asked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield whether, bearing in mind that exchanged prisoners are liable to fight again, His Majesty's Government will refrain from concluding any agreement with the enemy at The Hague Conference on the basis that the starved or ill-fed British prisoners in Germany are, man for man, equivalent to the more considerately fed German prisoners in England, especially as such an arrangement would not only be unfair, but would encourage further cruelties to future British prisoners in Germany?
§ Mr. HOPEI fear I can only say that I know the British delegates at The Hague are fully alive to the considerations to which my right hon. Friend alludes.