HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 cc1533-4
31. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in all cases, promotion of prisoners of war and any change in their pay is notified to their next of kin; and, if not, whether arrangements will be made to make such notification in future?

Sir J. Grigg

The War Office in general gives no particulars of an officer's or other rank's pay and rank to anyone else without his written authority, I do not consider a change in this policy is desirable.

Sir A. Knox

When these men are prisoners of war, how can they ascertain whether they are getting more pay or have had promotion unless it is done through their relatives?

Sir J. Grigg

Whenever a prisoner of war requests us to tell the relatives we invariably do so.

32. Sir A. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ascertain through the Protecting Power whether the Italian prisoner of war camp No. 5, near Genoa, is designed by the Italian authorities as a penal settlement for punishment for attempted escape; and whether prisoners are only kept there for a period or are permanently confined, as, owing to the appalling conditions and lack of exercsie, their health is deteriorating and almost all are suffering from piles?

Sir J. Grigg

This camp is used mainly for officer prisoners of war who have attempted to escape, but it is in no sense "a penal settlement for punishment." The prisoners of war do not, therefore, remain there for a period, as if they were serving sentences, but are detained there just as they are in other prisoner of war camps. The opportunities for exercise at this camp are certainly very limited, but, as I have indicated in previous answers to my hon. and gallant Friend, representations have been made about this, and a playground should shortly be provided. In all other respects, including the health of the prisoners, the conditions at this camp are satisfactory. This is corroborated by a senior officer recently repatriated from this camp and by correspondence which I have been shown from other prisoners there, as well as by the reports of the representatives of the Protecting Power and of the International Red Cross. If my hon. and gallant Friend has evidence of bad conditions at this camp, I will gladly have the facts looked into if he will send me particulars.

35. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers who are in captivity are not in receipt of proficiency pay?

Sir J. Grigg

The number could be ascertained only by an examination of the accounts of all rank and file prisoners of war; and I do not consider the expenditure of time and labour involved would be justified.

Mr. Bellenger

My purpose in putting this Question down was to ask the Minister whether he is aware that certain numbers of soldiers who fought against the enemy, and who are now in captivity, are precluded from earning this extra 6d. per day for the duration. Cannot he remove this anomaly?

Sir J. Grigg

Under the recent simplification of pay a certain number of prisoners of war will get the increase of pay. The number left over must be extremely small indeed.