HC Deb 05 November 1940 vol 365 cc1187-8
11. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State of War what is the rate of exchange at which payments to British and German prisoners of war are made.

Sir E. Grigg

The International Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, to which both the British and German Governments are parties, prescribes that the rate of exchange applicable to payments to prisoners of war shall be agreed between belligerents. Pending agreement on this point with the German Government, an exchange rate of 15 Reichmarks to £1 is being operated provisionally for payments to German officers in British custody. As British officer prisoners of war in Germany receive, in accordance with the Convention, the rates of pay in German currency of corresponding ranks in the German Army, which are lower than those in the British Army, the question of the exchange rate does not arise in their case. Other rank prisoners of war receive no pay from the detaining power other than working pay.

Mr. Bellenger

Are the payments made to British prisoners of war in German hands debited to their account at 15 Reichmarks to the £, and, if so, are not our nationals being unfairly treated, because the real rate of exchange is something better than that?

Sir E. Grigg

I do not think that the arrangement is unfair, but I am afraid that there are prisoners who are not receiving the pay we would wish them to receive.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my Question? Are these payments being debited to the accounts of prisoners at 15 marks to the £?

Sir E. Grigg

These payments are for German officers.

Mr. Bellenger

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman does not understand my Question.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman had better put it down.

Mr. Bellenger

It is obvious that the hon. Gentleman has misunderstood the purport of my Question.

Mr. Speaker

That is all the more reason why the hon. Gentleman should put it on the Paper.