16. Mr. A. DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Secretary of State for War whether hi attention has been drawn to the alleged sufferings of prisoners of war from Ahmednagar, who are now in Egypt; whether he is aware that on the 12th January last H.M.S. " Main," coming from India with prisoners of war, passed through Port Said and, as an epidemic of influenza had broken out on board, the sick and a number of others were landed on the plea that the ship was overcrowded; that these men had already had 5½ years of captivity and for two months' have lived in a concentration camp, hastily organised, in the desert; that they are living eight men in a small tent, with bad accommodation, suffering from the heat by day and the cold by night; and whether he will have immediate inquiry made into the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that the s.s. "Main" arrived at Port Said on the 13th January from India with about 1,800 Germans on board, and on account of a serious outbreak of influenza was compelled to land and segregate 70 officers and 400 other ranks, and in addition to-remove 150 to hospital. The "Main" left Port Said for Germany on the 19th January with the remainder, leaving-about 700 at Port Said who, according to a report dated the 24th March received from Egypt, were accommodated in the transit camp and were made as comfortable as the temporary nature of their stay permitted. The report further stated that their health was at that date good, but the disappointment entailed by their removal from the "Main" and the several occasions on which re-embarkation had been postponed had naturally caused some discontent. They eventually sailed from Port Said on the 27th March and should arrive at Hamburg in a few days' time. A further report has been called for with regard to the statements made in the latter part of the question, and I wilt in due course let the hon. Member know the result.