§ 46. Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Prime Minister whether, when dealing with suggested reprisals against the Germans by way of punishment for the indiscriminate laying of mines causing destruction to British and neutral shipping, with consequent loss of innocent 1392 lives, he will consider the advisability of putting German prisoners of war, under guard, on British ships as a deterrent to their illegal marine policy?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Such action would be contrary to the convention governing the treatment of prisoners of war, to which His Majesty's Government are a party and which they will continue to observe.