§ 1. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the Red Cross now inform relatives that there would be a delay of one month in the issue of labels to enable those relatives to send personal parcels to prisoners of war?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)The necessary labels, instructions and clothing coupons are despatched to the next-of-kin of a prisoner of war as soon as possible after his camp address is received by the Red 1144 Cross. This involves a considerable amount of clerical work which takes on the average between 10 days and a fortnight. When dealing with an exceptionally large number of prisoners this work takes longer and at times last autumn it took as long as a month. I understand, however, that the position is now normal.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend know that as late as the end of last month the Red Cross said it would take at least a month, owing to pressure of work, to supply these labels to relatives? Is it not possible for the Red Cross to obtain voluntary labour to do simple clerical work?
§ Sir J. GriggI am aware of what happened, but the facts are, on inquiry, as stated in my answer.