§ 6. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has considered the action of British officers interned in Holland who have held a meeting and passed a resolution against the action of the Allies against Dutch shipping; whether the King's Regulations permit officers or men to take part in political propaganda of this nature; and whether the King's Regulations apply in full force in the case of British officers and men interned in neutral countries?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no information on the first part of my hon. Friend's question. The discipline of prisoners of war is governed by paragraph 222 of the King's Regulations, which reads as follows:
When officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers or men become prisoners of war, the ordinary military relations of superior and subordinate, and the military duty of obedience remain unaltered. Any such prisoner who is guilty of insubordination or other breach of discipline, in respect of his superior, will be required to answer for his conduct when released.
§ Mr. KINGAs accounts of this meeting and this resolution of protest have appeared in neutral countries, and have 181 also been copied into the English Press, is it intended to make any inquiry into the matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; I do not think I can promise to make any such inquiry.