§ 37. General CROFTasked the Home Secretary whether, if there is likely to be a shortage of tobacco in this country, he will explain why prisoners of war should be permitted to purchase tobacco from our already depleted stocks; and whether British prisoners are permitted to purchase tobacco in Germany?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe amount of tobacco which prisoners of war are allowed to purchase or procure in this country has been strictly regulated, in consultation with the proper authorities, and is now fixed at ¾oz. per head per week. I have no official information in regard to the latter part of the question, but have reason to believe that at most camps in Germany the prisoners may purchase tobacco.
§ 36. General CROFTasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that recently at Chichester the civilian population were unable to purchase supplies of fresh fish whilst at the same time fresh fish was being delivered at a German prison camp, sometimes twice a day, by rail; and, seeing that this has caused local indignation, will he consider the advisability of better arrangements being made?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. I was not aware of the facts stated in the question, and am having inquiry made. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.
§ 51. General CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether, bearing in mind that two of our flying men have suffered about a month's imprisonment for dropping pamphlets it is proposed to inflict a reprisal on two enemy flying men in order to show the German Government our determination to secure proper treatment for British prisoners of war in their hands; and, in future, will he consider the advisability of at once taking reprisals for acts committed by the German Government against our prisoners of war instead of giving a time-limit during which period British prisoners are suffering such treatment?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)His Majesty's Government are fully determined to take all necessary measures to secure redress for British prisoners of war improperly treated by the enemy. We understand that the two British airmen in question have been released. As regards the second part of the question I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that both Governments are bound under The Hague Agreement to give a month's notice before reprisals are started.
§ General CROFTCan the hon. Gentleman tell me if it is a fact that German officers have been transferred from the West to the East Coast of this country?
§ Mr. HOPEIt has been thought desirable to transfer a number of German officers from the West of England to the East Coast, but this must not be regarded as a measure of reprisals or punishment. The climate of the Kent and Essex coast is at least as good, and probably better, than that in a number of prison camps in Germany.
§ 52. Mr. BILLINGasked what remuneration is paid by the German Government to British prisoners of war who are working in the Westphalian mines and other German industries in which British prisoners of war are engaged?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)The remuneration ranges from 30pfg. to 80pfg. per day, the average rate working out at about 40pfg. per day.