§ 9. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements there are by which friends of British prisoners of war in Germany can send regular remittances of money which can be used to improve their amenities; and whether he can advise how friends can proceed in this matter?
§ Major Sir James Edmondson (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)I have been asked to reply on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Remittances may at present be transmitted to officer prisoners-of-war through the Army agents within a maximum amount in each case of £2 a month.
§ Mr. WoodburnWould it be possible for the Minister to give more publicity to this, because large numbers of people have no knowledge that they can transmit £2 a month to their friends in the Army who are prisoners?
§ Sir J. Edmondson indicated assent.
§ 27 and 28. Sir William Davisonasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is satisfied as to the treatment of British prisoners of war in Germany; 1184 whether he can assure the House that one food parcel per week is delivered to every British prisoner of war; and, in particular, whether he is satisfied with the adequacy and efficiency of the British Red Cross administration in this matter;
(2) what is the result of his inquiries as to the conditions of British prisoners of war in Oflag VII camp in Germany, where some 1,500 British officer prisoners are confined and, in particular, as to the allegations that the clothing of many of such prisoners is in rags and that they are frequently suffering from hunger and scarcely ever receive parcels of either food or clothing through the Red Cross administration?
§ Sir E. GriggAccording to reports received from the Protecting Power and from the International Red Crass, after periodical visits to prisoner of war camps in Germany, it appears that general treatment and housing give little cause for complaint, but that rations issued are very far below the standard to which troops in this country are accustomed. Parcels are therefore essential and were despatched with regularity in the earlier months of the war.
The operations ending in the collapse of France unfortunately necessitated entirely new arrangements. The number of our prisoners in German hands increased very greatly at a moment when the means of communication became almost impracticable, all the shorter routes being closed completely. The British Red Cross set to work at once to build up a new system of transmission; but its task was very gravely complicated by the destruction of railway lines and services in France and by the fact that road transport presented equal difficulties. This caused a gap in the flow of parcels which was deplorable, but in the circumstances unavoidable, and it was not till September that an adequate rate of despatch once again became possible. The United States Embassy in Berlin, in a report dated 28th September, confirmed that a considerable number of Red Cross parcels had arrived at Oflag VII Camp and that further quantities were en route. Endeavours are now being made to ascertain the number of parcels that have since been delivered.
§ Sir W. DavisonCan my hon. Friend say anything about the statement which was made that these unfortunate officer prisoners are in rags and are suffering very severe privation, and is he aware that, according to a statement made by the Postmaster-General on 22nd October, only 43,500 food parcels had been dispatched to our prisoners of war in Germany during September, which would allow for less than 1½ food parcels per month each?
§ Sir E. GriggI have given the full facts. If my hon. Friend reads the statement, he will see that there was a gap, which, in the circumstances, was unavoidable.
§ Sir W. DavisonI should like to have some statement that the position is better and that the matter is being attended to.
§ Sir E. GriggThe Red Cross are doing their utmost, with some success.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxHave they explored the possibility of sending parcels through Holland as well as Lisbon and Spain?
§ Sir E. GriggEvery possible route is being explored.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartIs the Minister aware that serious complaints are levelled against the Red Cross organisation in regard to the despatch of parcels, and is there not a case for proper inquiry into an organisation which deals with 30,000 of the most depressed British subjects in the world?
§ Sir E. GriggThe British Red Cross are doing admirable work, and I am not prepared to acid to my answer.
§ Sir E. GriggNot that I know of.
§ Sir Irving AlberyAre not British prisoners of war entitled to receive the same rations as are issued to German soldiers on home service—
§ Sir E. GriggYes, Sir.
§ Sir I. AlberyAnd are not receiving them?
§ Sir E. GriggNo, Sir, they are—
§ Mr. Speakerrose
§ Sir I. AlberyAs I was permitted to ask this question, Mr. Speaker, which is of some importance, might I not have an answer to it?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe question is no doubt important, but has nothing to do with the Question on the Paper.
§ 46. Sir A. Knoxasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Red Cross has taken sole responsibility for the despatch of parcels to British prisoners of war, he will appoint a member of the Government to the council of this society in order to enable Questions regarding its activities to be answered in this House?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)His Majesty's Government have had this whole matter under review. Responsibility for the despatch of parcels to British prisoners of war has, by arrangement with the Government, been undertaken by the war organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John. The influence and usefulness of the Society are largely due to its independence of Government control, and its relationship with the International Red Cross at Geneva rests on that basis. In these circumstances to appoint a member of the Government to the Council of the Society, as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend would, in the view of the Government, be likely to defeat the very objects which he has in mind. As regards Questions in this House, various Government Departments have responsibilities in connection with prisoners of war, and I think it is desirable that Parliamentary Questions should be addressed to the Ministers responsible for those Departments. I have, however, arranged that, in order to meet the convenience of the House, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War will answer any Questions raising general issues relating to prisoners of war which are not specifically the concern of another Service Department.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction at the conduct of the Red Cross, and would it not be a good thing to have an inquiry to find out whether it is justified or not?
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Red Cross has sufficient funds at its disposal to do its work properly, and is there any method by which the Government could help it without interfering with the independent control which is essential to its work?
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware of any shortage of funds, but if that were shown, it is quite clear that endeavours would have to be made in a suitable manner to supply the necessary funds.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWill my right hon. Friend indicate to the House that he will consider the suggestion which was made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there should be an inquiry into the efficiency of the organisation?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that would be wise at the present time. My hon. Friend can rest assured that Questions asked in the House in regard to this most burning topic will not pass unnoticed, but that attention will be concentrated upon the points raised.
§ Mr. KeelingIs my right hon Friend aware that any failure by the Red Cross is largely due to the complete breakdown, of the casualty branch of the War Office?