HC Deb 28 May 1918 vol 106 cc653-5
34. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether any steps have been taken to secure the exchange of British prisoners of war and civilians in Germany on the lines of the Franco-German agreement on this subject?

Mr. J. HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is about to make a statement on this subject, in answer to a Private Notice question.

Mr. ALDEN (by Private Notice)

asked whether the Government has now considered the question of an exchange of prisoners with Germany on the lines of the Franco-German Convention, and, if so, whether any decision has been arrived at?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)

His Majesty's Government have already entered into negotiations with the view of arranging a wide scheme of exchange following, broadly speaking, the recently concluded Franco-German agreement.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

I put down a similar question and I got no reply, but I was referred to a statement which was to be made in another place this afternoon.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the negotiations include civilians as well as the military?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Has a question of which Private Notice has been given in identical terms to one already appearing on the Paper priority over that question?

Mr. SPEAKER

No; it carries no priority, and it was not given priority. The question on the Paper was replied to in the sense that the answer would be given by the Leader of the House.

Mr. KING

May I ask, for the guidance of hon. Members, whether, when you are asked for permission to put a Private Notice question, when there is already a question of identical purport on the Paper, you will still give your permission, or whether permission was given in this case without any knowledge that such a question was on the Paper?

Mr. SPEAKER

In this case there was no necessity for asking for any permission from me, because the only time per mission is required is when questions carry on beyond 3.45. Therefore it is pretty evident, seeing that there is only forty-four questions on the Paper, that hon. Members would have an opportunity of asking any questions they desired.

Mr. ALDEN

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that a much fuller statement will be given in another place?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not know that, in substance, much more can be said. Negotiations are taking place, and there is really nothing more to be said.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Were we not informed recently that the German Government refused to release privates, because they required them for work, while at the very time the French Government were carrying out the exchange of some 300,000 men?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think there is some point in the hon. Member's question. I cannot, however, give any explanation of it at present, and I shall require notice.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who is going to represent Great Britain in the negotiations?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is only to-day that we have received the reply that negotiations will take place, and it is too soon to give the names of those who will represent this country.

Mr. J. M. HENDERSON

Will the negotiations include interned prisoners in neutral countries as well as prisoners from Germany?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There is no limit to the subjects which may be discussed. As to whether that point will be discussed or not I cannot say.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to secure that there shall be no difference made between privates and non-commissioned officers?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think it has been made plain from the beginning that this Government always objected to that distinction being made.