§ 15. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the alleged harsh treatment by the War Office of British soldiers who have returned after escaping from Germany; and, if so, can he make any statement in regard to the matter generally, and also in regard to the specific instances mentioned?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)In connection with this question my hon. Friend has brought to my notice 2470 certain statements which appeared recently in the Press. The first was that an escaped officer prisoner of war is ruined in his military career. This is not true. The conditions of the promotion of officer prisoners of war are laid down in Article 47 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, Promotion, etc. The Army Council have decided that one step in rank only shall be given while an officer remains in captivity, and that, after release, promotion should be given, as far as practicable, by promotion to the substantive rank—such promotion being antedated—for which officers would have been selected had they not been taken prisoners.
The next point was that officer prisoners of war whilst in captivity are charged with the cost of their food. My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary is answering later which deals with the matter. I would add to his reply that, as far as I am aware, the same arrangements are made by the Dominion Governments. I cannot say what the position is as regards all our Allies, but I understand that, in the case of the French Army, officers do not receive full pay while they are prisoners of war. A further statement dealt with the treatment of an escaped prisoner of war on arrival in this country. I have no knowledge of the case referred to, but I know that every assistance and kindness is extended to escaped prisoners of war. They are received by civil and military officials on arrival at a British port, and sent to London where they report to the War Office. They are detained in London only long enough to complete their interviews with officials at the War Office and with the Government Committees which inquire into the treatment received whilst in enemy hands. They are then given three months' leave, and issued with free travelling warrants to their own homes. As to the other points, if my hon. Friend means the same officer as I mean, it is not true that he was sent for by the War Office, nor is it true that he was placed under arrest, nor called a fool with an expletive by a high War Office official.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTWill it be possible now for the War Office to recognise the escaped officer and men prisoners who behaved with such extraordinary gallantry, by the granting of honours and awards?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think my answer shows that we are very fully alive to this question. With regard to the granting of 2471 honours, prisoners of war are entitled to wear the Mons ribbon. Certainly repatriated prisoners are entitled to wear it, and both wounded and unwounded officers and men are entitled to wear the chevrons.
§ General CROFTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether escaped officers and men who ran such tremendous risks should not be eligible for the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, and the Military Medal?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir; I cannot add anything to the answer that I have given.