58. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the report that has been published in the "Daily Herald" with regard to the conditions obtaining at Les Attaques Military Prison, near Calais; if, as there stated, men are confined in this camp for trival offences such as the overstaying of leave for a few days; if they are supplied with only one blanket each in the coldest weather and are flogged and placed in irons and handcuffs for conversing with each other; and, if there are no grounds for these charges, will he consider as to the taking of criminal proceedings for the publication of such reckless and libellous statements for the purpose of bringing the Army into disrepute?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. My attention has not 1337 previously been drawn to this matter, but I have called for a report from the General Officer Commanding the British troops in France and Flanders, and I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.