§ 26. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist whereby officers who become prisoners of war can have sent out to them articles of uniform and kit which they may have left behind on capture?
§ Sir J. GriggI will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate some details of these arrangements in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the details:
§ The kit of an officer who becomes a prisoner of war is sent to this country for storage, as circumstances permit, after a minimum period of retention of one month in the theatre of war where he was captured. It may be claimed by his personal representative, on the production of evidence that the representative has authority to act for the officer in the matter; if no such authority is held, kit is released to an officer's representative, subject to an undertaking being given to indemnify the Department against any subsequent claims for the kit which may be preferred. Where instructions are received at the War Office direct from the officer, kit is disposed of in accordance with his wishes. Representatives who wish to send to officers, who are prisoners of war, articles of uniform and kit they may have left behind on capture, should address their applications to the Under-Secretary of State, War Office, London, S.W.1.
§ Mr. TurtonWill my right hon. Friend also circulate information to the next-of-kin of prisoners of war?
§ Sir J. GriggI will certainly consider that.