PRISONERS OF WAR.

HC Deb 12 March 1940 vol 358 cc984-6

22. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a relief committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Helmut W. B. Schroeder, has sent out circulars to a number of English people asking them to send donations for the assistance of German prisoners of war and internees in this country; and, in view of the fact that such prisoners are well-fed and properly cared for, will he forbid the sending of comforts to them by persons in this country in order that the money spent to provide such comforts may be diverted to better uses?

Mr. Stanley

This appeal has not previously come to my notice. I have no power to forbid the sending of comforts to German prisoners of war by persons in this country, but I think such a practice is both unnecessary and undesirable, as the prisoners are already adequately provided for.

Mr. Adams

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, will he satisfy himself that Mr. Schroeder's record and connections are above suspicion?

24. Mr. Adams

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any effort is being made to improve the present arrangements for sending comforts, including food, to British prisoners of war in Germany; and what information he has as to their treatment at present?

Mr. Stanley

I have every reason to believe that the arrangements made by the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem for sending parcels of comforts and food to British prisoners of war in Germany are working efficiently. As regards the treatment of these prisoners, the available information indicates that there is little cause for complaint.

Mr. Adams

In connection with my previous Question, is my right hon. Friend aware that the purchasing of goods for prisoners of war in Germany is treated there as an offence punishable as high treason?

Mr. Kirkwood

Is there not a danger, in prohibiting the Red Cross and friends assisting prisoners of war, that in Germany the same thing will happen with regard to prisoners of war in this country?

Mr. Stanley

I think the hon. Member misunderstood the answers. The original Question did not refer to allowing people in Germany to send to Germans in camp here but to subscriptions being raised by residents in this country for the purpose of providing comforts for German prisoners in camps here.

70. Mr. Keeling

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Whitaker's Almanack contains, at page 105, full information, which is repeated at page 482, as to how to send letters and parcels to German prisoners in England, but no information as to how to send them to British prisoners in Germany; and whether he will take all necessary steps to prevent any such discrimination in favour of the enemy in private publications or the Press?

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Captain Waterhouse)

The standard addresses to be used for letters and parcels for German prisoners of war in this country were fixed by the British authorities and were announced in October, just in time for their inclusion in the publication to which my hon. Friend refers. The rules to be observed in this country by persons sending correspondence to British prisoners of war interned in Germany are based on regulations prescribed by the German authorities. These regulations were unfortunately not made known in time for the rules to be included in the publication mentioned. No question of discrimination therefore arises.

Mr. Keeling

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not think that if, owing to the dilatoriness of the War Office, Whitaker's Almanack could not publish information as to how British people can send parcels to British prisoners in Germany, they might at least have omitted the information as to how English people can send parcels to German prisoners in England?

Captain Waterhouse

I do not think it is for me to say what shall appear in Whitaker's Almanack.

73. Viscountess Astor

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet taken any steps with a view to reaching an agreement with the German Government for the internment in a neutral country of able-bodied prisoners of war; and, if not, whether, as no such agreement was reached in the last war until 1917, he will initiate negotiations without delay?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

My Noble Friend is quite prepared to consider this matter, which, however, presents considerable difficulties.

3. Sir G. Fox

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the present rations allowed to German prisoners of war in this country and to British prisoners of war in Germany, respectively, and how each compares with the corresponding civilian ration?

Mr. Stanley

In accordance with the Geneva Convention, German prisoners of war in this country are fed on the same standard as British troops at home. As regards commodities which are rationed, the maximum daily allowances are as follow: Meat, 12 ounces; bacon, 2 ounces; butter, 1 ounce; sugar, 3 ounces. So far as my information goes, I have no reason to think that the German Government are not observing the terms of the Geneva Convention regarding the feeding of British prisoners of war.