HC Deb 18 November 1918 vol 110 cc3172-3
58. Mr. HOUSTON

asked the Prime Minister whether Germany is strictly and honourably carrying out the terms of the Armistice regarding the immediate release and repatriation of all British prisoners in Germany; and, if not, whether he will arrange with our Allies and America that no food supplies will be given to Germany until this condition of the Armistice is rigidly and fully complied with?

Mr. HOPE

There is no evidence to show that the German Government is not carrying out the terms of the Armistice regarding British prisoners, but should such evidence be forthcoming, I do not doubt that His Majesty's Government will at once reconsider their attitude on the question of food supplies passing into Germany.

65. Mr. HOUSTON

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to the immediate and faithful compliance by Germany with the terms of the Armistice regarding British prisoners in Germany, he will arrange through the proper channels and authorities that every British prisoner in Germany shall immediately be put in a position and have every facility given him to communicate by letter or otherwise with the proper British authorities his name, description, place of imprisonment or internment, and other particulars of indication, so that no British prisoner may be overlooked or hidden away, but shall immediately be transported to the German frontier and handed over to our representatives?

Mr. HOPE

British prisoners of war in Germany have already the right to communicate with the British authorities, but in the present unsettled state of Germany such communications are necessarily precarious. The names and camps of by far the greater number of the prisoners is known, and the German authorities will be given a full list of all untraced men, and be held accountable for their production.

Mr. HOUSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen statements that British prisoners are kept working in the mines in Germany, and are on the verge of starvation?

Mr. HOPE

I have seen the statement, but it is in the terms of Armistice, which we have no reason to believe they are not carrying out, that the prisoners shall be immediately sent back as soon as it is possible, and deliberations have been taking place in the last two or three days.