HC Deb 28 October 1918 vol 110 cc1115-6
51. Mr. KENNEDY JONES

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the number of enemy prisoners we have taken since the commencement of hostilities; and how many prisoners of German nationality are held to-day in Great Britain?

Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

I am informed by the military authorities that the number of enemy combatant prisoners taken since the beginning of the War is 327,416, of whom 264,242 are Germans. The number of German prisoners in the United Kingdom, according to the latest returns, are: Combatants, 97,060; civilians, 20,564.

Colonel LOWTHER

Will not the German Government be informed immediately that it is the intention of the British Government to use those German prisoners in this country as hostages until they give better treatment in Germany to British prisoners?