BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR.

HC Deb 04 February 1941 vol 368 cc776-9

13. Sir William Davison

asked the Secretary of State for War, what number of inspectors are employed by the International Red Cross to visit and report on conditions obtaining at the different German prisoners of war camps; what is the total number of such camps; and how frequently are such inspections made?

Captain Margesson

I am informed that the International Red Cross have four inspectors who visit the prisoner of war camps in Germany, and that such visits are made about once every three months. The number of camps for British prisoners of war is 16. The inspections on behalf of the International Red Cross are independent of those made by the authorities of the United States of America (the protecting Power). We have asked the latter to make monthly inspections.

Sir W. Davison

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that, as there are 16 camps of very considerable extent, four inspectors is a very inadequate number? Would he make representations, through the protecting Power, that this number of international inspectors might be increased?

Captain Margesson

I will certainly see what can be done.

Sir Hugh O'Neill

What is the nationality of these inspectors?

Captain Margesson

I shall have to have notice of that.

16. Sir W. Davison

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that British prisoners of war who were captured in the early summer wearing light summer clothing have now received warm battledress and overcoats; and, if not, what is the present position?

Captain Margesson

Enough greatcoats and suits of battledress have been despatched for distribution to all camps in Germany in which British prisoners of war are detained to provide one of each for every officer and man. It is definitely known that supplies of this clothing have left Geneva, but I regret that I have not yet been able to ascertain what numbers have been received in the camps.

Sir W. Davison

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the great anxiety of relatives about prisoners of war being in the clothes in which they were taken prisoner in the summer? We know about the despatch; what we are anxious to know is whether the parcels have arrived. Can anything be done, through the protecting Power or otherwise, to ascertain whether the majority of the men have obtained overcoats and new battledress in this terribly cold weather?

Captain Margesson

What I said is that the parcels have not only been despatched, but that they have left Geneva—they have arrived at Geneva and have left Geneva. I am unable to say whether they have actually reached the camps. I am trying to get further information. As soon as I have it, I will let my hon. Friend know.

Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend considered the possibility of these suits of battledress being intercepted by the Germans and used to clothe a possible invading force?

Captain Margesson

That would seem to be an argument for not sending them at all. We have to balance one consideration against the other. As I have said, a good deal of the despatching has been done.

Mr. Stokes

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider sending a different kind of clothing, so that it could not be put to the purpose to which the hon. and gallant Member referred?

Captain Margesson

I will consider that.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the fact that out of every 20 parcels despatched by the Red Cross from this country, only one has crossed the German frontier?

Sir A. Knox (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any further measures have now been taken to facilitate the transit of food and clothing to our prisoners of war in Germany?

Captain Margesson

I should like to assure the House that the War Office and the Red Cross Society are ready and anxious at all times to consider—and with the utmost sympathy—suggestions designed to promote the welfare of our prisoners of war, whether these come from Members of this House or the public at large. From my own personal observation I am satisfied that the British Red Cross Society is doing everything possible to further the end which we all have in view. The society has had a very difficult task to perform and has from time to time come in for criticism, in my view often unmerited. The House is well aware of the very real problems, quite outside our control, in connection with the distribution of parcels, which the society has been and is trying to solve. To help them in this task Field-Marshal Sir Phillip Chetwode tells me that he has secured the services of Mr. Stanley Adams as managing-director of the parcels department of the British Red Cross. Mr. Adams, who is chairman of Messrs. Thomas Cook & Son, Limited, has secured the co-operation of other business firms. He is, of course, a most experienced administrator and has an unrivalled knowledge of European transport problems. He is giving his services without remuneration.

Sir A. Knox

If the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the work of the Red Cross, is he satisfied with the work that the Government have done?

Captain Margesson

All the time we are trying to improve the very difficult circumstances.

Sir A. Knox

Is there not delay in the transit of parcels to Lisbon? That is not a matter for the Red Cross but for the Government.

Mr. Garro Jones

While appreciating to the full the good will shown by the staff of the Red Cross, high and low, is not the burden of the public's complaint that they have been staffed by amateurs who have no knowledge of affairs, and is not this feeling confirmed by the very late appointment of a business man? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take some steps to ensure that the staff of the Red Cross from top to bottom is re-organised to include people who have knowledge of business affairs rather than amateurs?

Captain Margesson

I think that Sir Philip Chetwode, by making this appointment, has shown that he was conscious of the value of professional as opposed to amateur help and that it would be a great advantage to the society to have help of the kind which Mr. Stanley Adams, with his great experience, can provide.