56. Major DAVIESasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the Government have any information of the fate of the 596 British troops and 2,600 Native troops who were taken prisoners by the Turks in Kut; whether the Government has reason to believe that these men have met their death other than in action or through sickness; and whether he will take steps to secure this information from the Turkish Government?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)I regret that no further information has been received regarding these prisoners. It is feared to be only too likely that the majority succumbed on the march into the interior. As regards the last part of the question, we have repeatedly urged the Turkish authorities to keep us supplied with full information regarding all prisoners in their hands, and the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople has quite recently been requested to press for informaion as to all prisoners of whom no news has yet been received.