§ The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Colonel LOWTHER:
§ 51. To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that several thousand women were found at Lille in a state bordering upon putrefaction from the ravages of venereal disease; whether these women had been forced into concubinage, one woman being allotted to every five German soldiers; and, if so, what steps the Government are taking to bring those responsible for these atrocities to justice?
Colonel LOWTHERI should like, Mr. Speaker, to apologise for having to put down such an unpleasant question. It is not my desire to enlist fictitious sympathy—
Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member should put his question, and not make a statement by way of preamble.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWhen Lille was liberated by the British troops, between 1,000 and 2,000 prostitute women suffering from venereal disease were found there, owing to the Germans having concentrated in Lille all the women from venereal hospitals in the area. There is no evidence that any of these women were forced by the enemy into adopting the profession of prostitution, nor is there any evidence as to any system of concubinage or allotment to German soldiers.
Colonel LOWTHERIf I produce the officer who can give chapter and verse for this, will the right hon. Gentleman see that investigations are made?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will certainly see this officer personally.