HC Deb 05 March 1918 vol 103 cc1815-6
20. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of letters per month which British officer prisoners of war in Germany and German officer prisoners of war in this country, respectively, are permitted to write home; and whether he will take steps to ensure that German prisoners enjoy no greater advantages in this respect than are given to British prisoners?

Mr. MACPHERSON

German officer prisoners are allowed two letters per week on special paper, which covers about two pages of ordinary notepaper, the lines being widely spaced. British officer prisoners are allowed two letters of unlimited length per month and one postcard a week.

Mr. BUTCHER

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that great additional labour is thrown on the Censorship Department by this very large number of letters which is permitted to German prisoners?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is no doubt the case, but they have not complained.