§ 20. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case in which a party of German prisoners were found stealing potatoes from fields at night; whether these prisoners were supposed to be under military guard; and what steps have been taken to deal with those responsible and to prevent the recurrence of such an incident?
Mr. HOPEI am informed by the military authorities that the report asked for on this case has not yet been supplied.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these guards are provided with ammunition or not?
§ 22. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a farmer's son was recently fined for giving a shot-gun to German prisoners; what form of supervision was being exercised over these prisoners at the time; and what action has been taken in the matter?
Mr. HOPEIn view of the particulars supplied by my hon. and gallant Friend, the War Office have called for an early and detailed report on this case, but it has not yet come to hand.
§ 28. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a party of German prisoners driven in a motor lorry through Edgware on the 30th October gave offence to local inhabitants by singing, whistling, and shouting to passers-by; what form of control or discipline was being exercised over this party at the time; and what steps have been taken in this matter?
Mr. HOPEThe military authorities inform me that they have been unable to obtain any confirmation of any such incident as is suggested in the question.