§ Mr. LOUGH (by Private Notice)asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether it is expected that some 30,000 or 40,000 prisoners released under the Armistice will arrive in Holland to-day or to-morrow, and, if not, how many; what arrangements have the Government made for the repatriation, feeding, and clothing on their arrival in neutral countries and the reception in this country of the prisoners in Germany which under the terms of the Armistice are to be immediately released?
§ 24 Captain C. CRAIGasked the Home Secretary (1) whether the British prisoners of war who were interned at Philippopolis have yet been handed over to the British authorities;
(2) Whether, in view of the great volume and the varied character of the work which the Admiral in charge has to perform in Turkish waters, he will cause an officer of high rank and with large powers to be specially appointed to superintend and carry out the arrangements for the release and repatriation of British prisoners of war in Turkish hands; and
(3) Whether, in view of the food shortage, and the political and general disturbance in Germany after the signing of an armistice and of the indefiniteness of the word immediately employed in the clause in the Armistice dealing with the release of prisoners of war, he will take steps to ensure that all British prisoners of war, wounded and unwounded, shall be handed over to the British authorities within fourteen days from to-day?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)It is impossible to say precisely what is the number of our prisoners who have found their way into Holland in the past few days, but, according to the latest information, they probably number not more than 1,000. Sir Walter Townley, our Minister at the Hague, has appointed our Consul-General at Rotterdam, our Military Attaché at the Hague, and General Bruce, who has 2882 himself been a prisoner in Germany, to act as a Committee charged with the welfare of our prisoners arriving in that country and their earliest possible repatriation. Extra medical supply and transport staffs are being sent out, and besides a very large stock of emergency parcels from the Central Prisoners of War Committee, 30,000 full kits and 30,000 rations for a month will be sent immediately as a first instalment. All Red Cross workers, V.A.D.'s, and medical personnel now in Holland will be retained for the present to cope with the emergency, if required. Besides such Dutch ships as may be available, seven ships capable of carrying 9,000 persons have been ordered to Holland to bring back the prisoners, and three of them sailed yesterday. I may add that, independently of these arrangements, a small party is expected in England to-day.
In Denmark similar arrangements are being made to those in Holland. Ten thousand kits and 10,000 rations for a month are being sent, and it is hoped to effect the repatriation of prisoners east of the Elbe by neutral ships from Baltic ports.
For such of our prisoners as may return via Switzerland, like orders are being given. For these prisoners it is proposed to draw on the British Army in France for supplies of food, and a large supply of clothing has been placed at the disposal of General Hanbury Williams, our representative on the spot. For any prisoner who may be returned directly across the lines in France and Belgium, instructions are being sent to expedite their passage to the Channel Ports and to do everything possible for their comfort on the way. The whole question of moving the prisoners from the camps in Germany under the Armistice will be dealt with at an International Conference which opens to-morrow in Belgium, at which Major-General Sir John Adye will represent the interests of British prisoners of war.
As to the prisoners in Austria, the Italian authorities and General Lord Cavan are being asked to make all arrangements for them, and to secure their speedy return.
All British prisoners of war in Bulgaria, with the exception of sixteen officers and thirty other ranks, are now in our hands. All at present unaccounted for will be traced by all possible means.
2883 I now come to those in Turkey. For them, Admiral Calthorpe, the High Commissioner at Constantinople, has been asked to appoint a Commission of three to attend to the prisoners' wants and to secure their early repatriation. The Commission will consist of a naval and military officer and a civilian resident in Turkey. The military authorities in Egypt have been instructed to see that there is no want of food and clothing for the prisoners, the great bulk of whom will be assembled at Smyrna and sent home through Italy and France. I may say, however, that a number of prisoners have already been passed into our lines in Mesopotamia and Syria, and their wants are being met by the authorities on the spot.
All the combatant prisoners on arrival in England will go to large reception camps, where they will receive the heartiest of welcomes, their medical wants will be attended to, and arrangements will be made for giving them leave as soon as possible. Other arrangements are being made for the reception of the civilian prisoners. I trust and believe that, in so far as time allows, nothing will be lacking to secure that the practical gratitude of the nation shall be shown to those who have done so much and suffered so grievously in the cause of right.