§ 14. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War whether facilities for study and passing examinations through their native institutions are provided for enemy prisoners of war under our control, similar to those granted for our men who are prisoners of war in German camps?
§ Sir J. GriggFacilities are provided to enable such educational schemes as are prepared for enemy prisoners of war by their own authorities to be implemented. These authorities have hitherto made no arrangements for their nationals to take examinations while they are prisoners.
§ Mr. DaviesIt would be the case, I suppose, that, if German prisoners of war and the institutions desired it, they would get the same facilities from us as the German authorities give our men who are prisoners?
§ Sir J. GriggThe matter is regulated by the Convention. I think the answer is, "Yes."
§ 16. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War how many Italian prisoners of war are being interned in South Africa at the expense of the British Treasury; and how many of them are working?
§ Sir J. GriggThe answer to the first part part of the Question is 48,340. About 5,500 are working outside the camps, and a large number are working inside the camps.
§ Mr. KeelingIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are tens of thousands of Italian prisoners in South Africa who are doing no work at all? Will he make further inquiries with a view to bringing them to this country for agricultural work?
§ Sir J. GriggIt is not really necessary to make further inquiries. The question that regulates the matter is that of shipping. We are aware of the desirability of bringing as many as possible to this country.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWill my right hon. Friend review the question of employing German prisoners of war, who were employed up to the number of 63,000 in the last war?
§ Sir J. GriggThat question raises quite different considerations, as my hon. Friend knows. I am not prepared to give any such undertaking.
§ 28. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the casualties branch of the War Office duplicates in the Services given to the relatives of prisoners of war in the Far East, those given by the Red Cross; and whether he will arrange for this duplication to be abolished?
§ Sir J. GriggThe services rendered to relatives of prisoners of war in the Far East and elsewhere by the Casualty Branch of the War Office and the Enquiry Room at Curzon Street House, London, are services which are proper to my Department and there can be no question of discontinuing any of them. The services rendered to relatives of prisoners of war by the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John are mainly of an advisory character. Their scope is at the discretion of that organisation, which is locally represented throughout the country and is in a position to give advice to relatives who are unable to make personal visits to the War Office Enquiry Room in London.
§ Mr. KeelingHas my right hon. Friend been able to consider the evidence I sent him that there is unnecessary duplication; if not, will he be kind enough to do so?
§ Sir J. GriggI have seen the work of the War Office Casualty Branch and the British Red Cross, and I should be loath to accept the contention that there is duplication.
Viscountess AstorIs it not true that people are very satisfied with this branch of the Service for the first time?