HC Deb 17 October 1918 vol 110 cc265-6
26. Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMS

asked the Home Secretary if he can state whether a Dutch representative has visited any prisoner camps in Turkey during the adjournment; if so, whether his reports can be forthwith published; and if he can state, approximately, how many parcels are awaiting at Alexandria addressed to British prisoners and what it is proposed to do with them?

Sir G. CAVE

Representatives of the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople have visited camps and hospitals in the neighbourhood of Constantinople, and their reports have been received.

A Dutch inspector proceeded on the 19th August to visit the camps in the interior of Asia Minor, and it is known that he has been to Kedos, but no reports from him have yet been received. As my hon. and learned Friend is aware, His Majesty's Government are unable to publish the reports received from neutral representatives on internment camps, but I am glad to be able to state that the accounts given in the reports above-mentioned and in recent letters from prisoners show a substantial improvement in their conditions, due largely to the Turkish Red Crescent Commission which visited the camps in anticipation of the Dutch inspection.

The number of parcels received at Alexandria for British prisoners of war in Turkey was 1,200 on the 15th August, the date of the last report received, and it is estimated that their number is now about 1,500. It is proposed to ship them by the repatriation vessel which is to embark British invalid prisoners of war at Scala Nova.

Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMS

Is it not important that the repatriation should be started?

Sir G. CAVE

A date has been arranged.