§ 14. Sir Ralph Glynasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement regarding the delivery of parcels to British prisoners, of war in consequence of the German occupation of Southern France?
§ Sir J. GriggIt is too early to say whether the German occupation of Southern France will have any effect on the transport of parcels to British prisoners of war. Sailings from Lisbon of the ships which carry these parcels were suspended for a few days, but one ship sailed again on 20th November and others have sailed since or will do so in the near future. Further shipping arrangements are under discussion between the various authorities concerned in Lisbon. On my present information I have reason to hope that the parcel service will be maintained, any temporary interruption in the service being covered by reserves of parcels in the camps. As I have stated on former occasions, the service is always open to the hazards of changes in the general situation; but the House may rest assured that all possible steps to counter such hazards are taken. As a precautionary measure the International Red Cross despatched in the first fortnight of November four weeks' supplies of parcels in addition to the Christmas parcels, and the British Red Cross Society has told Camp Leaders through the International Red Cross Committee to reduce issues for the present to one parcel every two weeks, but with the Christmas parcel as an addition.