§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether Dr. Nansen has 23 requested the British Government to provide money and ships for the repatriation of German and Russian prisoners; whether he has consented to provide money and place ships at the disposal of Dr. Nansen for this purpose; whether this burden is being equally shared amongst all European nations; how many prisoners will be transported; and what is the estimated cost to this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe League of Nations has approached His Majesty's Government on this matter with a view to their taking a share in the financing of some international arrangement for repatriation of prisoners. The matter is receiving consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it the fact that nothing has been decided upon and that there is no question of the British Government giving any sanction to the transportation of 180,000 men?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think anything has been decided upon.
§ Sir R. COOPERWill the House be consulted before this country is committed to any large expenditure from the repatriation of Russian and German pris oners between those two countries?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman consult this House before he refuses to grant money from such an obviously humane purpose?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf it is undertaken it will only be undertaken by this country in conjunction with other countries with whom we are associated.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTWill money be refunded in that event by those two countries, or is it a question of making England pay?