HC Deb 17 October 1918 vol 110 cc266-7
47. Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take immediate steps to make known to the public the whole of the sworn evidence concerning the treatment of British prisoners in Germany, and also the whole of the evidence with regard to the forcing of British prisoners to work behind the lines under shell-fire from British guns?

Sir G. CAVE

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The evidence referred to in the question is considered and tested by the Government Committee on the treatment by the enemy of British prisoners of war, over which Mr. Justice Younger presides, and the effect of the evidence is stated and extracts given in the reports of that Committee. It is the intention of the Government that the reports of the Committee shall be made public as soon as received. The evidence itself is too voluminous to be published in full.

General CROFT

Is it the intention of the Government to give the earliest possible date for the consideration of this question of the treatment of prisoners of war, which is of such intense interest to the country?

Sir G. CAVE

That is a question for the Leader of the House.

General CROFT

Then can the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House give us any information upon the subject?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am quite sure we shall be glad to arrange for a discussion immediately there are the full facts to go upon, and I can scarcely say that at the present time we have all those facts.

General CROFT

Owing to the fact that delay in this question must bring increased suffering to those concerned, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider giving a day, or half a day, early next week?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My hon. and gallant Friend knows that we have just sent to the German Government a message on the subject, and the wiser course, I think, would be to await their reply.

General CROFT

I will put this question down again next Monday.

Colonel C. LOWTHER

Is there any reason for not immediately informing the German Government—

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members should not forget the number of questions there are on the Order Paper.