§ 47. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether any other Turkish official besides Rahmi Bey has been officially thanked for kindness to British residents in Turkey during the War, and subsequently imprisoned by His Majesty's Government for two years without any charge being preferred against him?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIt is hoped that the question of the detention of Rahmi Bey may be dealt with as a part of the Turkish settlement.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not a fact that neither Rahmi Bey nor the other Turkish deputies who have been arbitrarily arrested in Constantinople and are in prison, ever fought in the War, and how therefore can the hon. Gentleman justify their continued internment as prisoners of war? Is it not contrary to all traditions of British justice to keep men in prison like this for over a year without any charge?
§ Mr. HERBERTIf we are to punish Rahmi Bey and other men who have been good to us during the War, cannot we punish the German criminals?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThere is no ground for that suggestion. We had better leave this matter to be dealt with as I have indicated.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSAre we not to have an answer on the legal point as to whether a man is a prisoner of war when he has never fought?