HC Deb 07 May 1918 vol 105 cc1975-6
29. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether some eighty or ninety British prisoners of war have already been released by the Turkish Government and sent to Switzerland for internment; and whether the Government will use all possible expedition in commencing to release Turkish prisoners of war in our hands?

Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

One officer and eighty other ranks have been repatriated as invalids by the Turkish Government under an agreement come to before the ratification of the Berne Agreement. All arrangements had been made to return under the same agreement a corresponding party of about 100 Turkish invalided combatants from Egypt—some of them had, in fact, embarked—when typhus broke out. I am informed that it has been impossible to find transport for these men since all fear of infection ceased, but that every endeavour will be made to send them to Turkey as early as possible.

Mr. BUTCHER

Does that mean that we are taking steps to release Turkish prisoners in exchange for our own prisoners in Turkish hands?

Mr. HOPE

In this particular instance I we are indebted to Turkey in the matter. We have got our prisoners, and they have not got theirs. Therefore it is for us to send their prisoners back as soon as transports can be found.

40. General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps, if any, the Government propose to take with reference to the atrocities committed by the Germans on British prisoners of war behind the firing lines in France and Belgium, as disclosed in the White Paper (Miscellaneous, No. 7, 1918) presented to both Houses of Parliament in April, 1918; and whether he is satisfied that instant and severe reprisals on German prisoners in our hands would not tend to mitigate the privations of our unfortunate men?

Mr. MACPHERSON

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am afraid I can add nothing, at present, to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire.