19. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War how many parcels are now being packed weekly by the British Red Cross Society?
§ Sir J. GriggNearly 90,000 a week in this country; apart, of course, from those packed in Canada.
§ Sir J. GriggThe number is somewhere between 130,000 and 160,000. I cannot give the exact number, because there is a temporary diversion from the Canadian packing to the Far East for prisoners there.
20. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the disturbing position in Italy with regard to the delivery of parcels to prisoners of war, what special steps are being taken to deal with the difficulty?
§ 23. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information on the extent to which prisoners of war parcels are being pilfered en route to Italy; whether he will make representations through the protecting Powers to ensure the regular transport of the parcels and also for the provision of proper heating arrangements to the prisoners' camps next winter?
§ Sir J. GriggDifficulties arising from changes in the Italian organisation of prisoner of war camps have interfered with the distribution of parcels from Geneva to British prisoners of war in Italy. These difficulties have now been largely overcome and the position has improved. My information is that losses from parcels by pilfering between Geneva and the camps in Italy are less than one per cent. Representations about the defective heating at several camps have already been made.
21. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War, whether, in view of the disturbing position with regard to parcels reaching prisoners of war, he will state the number of parcels despatched from Geneva to the camps in April and May, respectively; and whether he has any reliable evidence as to these parcels having been received?
§ Sir J. GriggIn April 263,700 Standard Red Cross food parcels and food in bulk equivalent to over 90,000 more, and in the first half of May 195,000 Standard parcels were despatched from Geneva. It is too soon for acknowledgments to have been received in respect of these parcels, but there is no evidence to suggest that they are not reaching the camps.
Miss WardIs any censorship now being imposed on letters coming from prisoners of war pointing out that they have not received any parcels?
§ Sir J. GriggI should imagine not. If my hon. Friend wants a categorical answer, but had better put a Question down, but I should think that the answer is certainly "No." If there is an absence of reference to the non-arrival of parcels, I presume it is because parcels are arriving.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenCould the right hon. Gentleman at an early date give us a comprehensive statement regarding supplies of foodstuffs or the shortage of supplies in prisoner of war camps in Germany, the non-arrival of parcels, and the delay in the arrival of parcels from this country? It would help Members considerably and also our constituents with relatives who are prisoners of war.
§ Sir. J. GriggI have already given a full statement, and I will consider making a further one removing, I hope, some of the misapprehensions which are prevailing.
§ Sir A. KnoxWas the dispatch of prisoner-of-war parcels from Geneva in April and May equal to one per person per week?
§ Sir J. GriggPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will await the answer to a further Question on the Paper.
§ Mr. de RothschildWhen my right hon. Friend makes his statement, will he give information about prisoner-of-war camps in Italy?
§ Sir J. GriggI will.
§ 24. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the British Red Cross has prohibited the sending of medicine or concentrated vitamins to prisoners of war by relatives in the quarterly individually-addressed "Invalid comforts parcels"?
§ Sir J. GriggThe examination by the German censor of medicines sent to individuals was causing delay and difficulty in the transmission of the invalid comforts parcels which contained them. Medicines and vitamin concentrates are now being addressed to the medical officers of camps and hospitals, with a note of the 1368 individuals for whom they are meant. The medical officer can thus ensure that they are cleared by the camp censor and distributed to the right persons.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many prisoners have been accustomed to take certain medicines for years and that it is essential that they should continue to have these medicines? Is he aware also that the vitamins and calories in the rations supplied in German camps are insufficient to keep people alive?
§ Sir J. GriggI quite understand my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, but the new arrangements are designed to enable people to get them more quickly.