§ 12 Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War (1), whether he will compare the items of the representative daily menu of food as issued to British prisoners of war in Germany, which has been obtained from official German sources, with the specimen dietary at Oflag VII. C/H, as reported by the protecting Power, and state the result;
(2), the number of calories contained in an average daily menu of food issued to German prisoners of war in Britain, in the dietary of Germans interned in the Isle of Man, and in the menu of food as issued daily to British prisoners of war in Germany; and whether each of these three menus contains the necessary vitamins?
§ Captain MargessonThe daily rations provided for German prisoners of war in this country, both officers and other ranks, contain 3,670 calories. The rations provided for German internees in the Isle of Man contain 2,852 calories, but internees working outside the camp on approved schemes of manual work, receive additional rations, which bring the caloric value of their diet to 3,345. Reports received through the Protecting Power indicate that the average caloric value of the daily rations furnished to British prisoners of war in German is 3,100 for officers, and 2,756 for other ranks. This is rather more than the caloric value of the latest dietary obtained from German official sources, so far as this can be calculated from the -details given. The rations issued to German prisoners of war and internees, have an ample vitamin content. No estimate of the vitamin content of the German rations is available, but there is evidence that the diet is not well balanced. 416 Strong representations have been made to the German Government in the matter.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs there any possibility of obtaining really correct information about what our people get in Germany? The two dietaries that we have been given are fundamentally different. For instance, in one, five grammes of potatoes is given as the daily ration, and in the other, 36 ounces. Which is correct?
§ Captain MargessonI am aware of that difficulty. It is really a question of difference in time. As I am informed, the figures I have to-day are the latest available, and were given to us by the protecting Power.
§ Sir A. KnoxAll the letters which relatives get from these unfortunate men in Germany complain of shortage of food. The men do not get enough to exist on.
§ Sir W. DavisonWill my right hon. and gallant Friend also inquire about medical supplies? In a letter which I have seen this morning, a man asks for a stethoscope to be sent, as the medical appliances are insufficient.
§ Captain MargessonI will look into that.
§ 17. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War how many inspectors are employed by the International Red Cross to visit prisoners' camps; and whether, in view of the large number of French and Polish prisoners, as well as British, he will see his way to make representations through the British Red Cross that the number should be increased?
§ Captain MargessonI am informed that the International Red Cross have four, or on some occasions five, inspectors who visit the prisoners of war camps in Germany. The question of an increase in this number is a matter for the International Red Cross Committee, and it is at present being considered by them.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely we might press for this, as it is quite impossible for the work to be properly done without an increase in the number of inspectors?
§ Captain MargessonI have drawn the attention of the International Red Cross to this matter, and have asked them to look into it.
§ 23. Captain McEwenasked the Secretary of State for War whether any free ration of cigarettes is made to prisoners of war in this country?
§ Captain MargessonYes, Sir. Free issues of cigarettes or tobacco are made both to prisoners of war in this country and to British prisoners of war in Germany and Italy.
§ Captain McEwenDo I understand my right hon. and gallant Friend to say that there is a similar ration issued in Germany?
§ Captain MargessonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. R. GibsonCan the Minister say the amount of the ration?
§ Captain MargessonYes, Sir, I have that information. The ration is 2 ounces a week for German prisoners of war and 1 ¼ounces a week for Italians. [An HON. MEMBER: "Why the difference?"] I asked exactly the same question. The quantities correspond to those which Germany and Italy respectively undertook to provide for British prisoners.