HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 cc1949-50
74. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any state- ment to make regarding the escape of over 90 Italian prisoners from a prisoners-of-war camp in the West of Scotland.

Mr. Arthur Henderson

Ninety-seven Italian non-co-operator prisoners escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp in Scotland during the night of 15th-16th December. Eighty-nine have so far been recaptured. A full inquiry into the circumstances is being made.

Sir T. Moore

As these escapes are becoming disconcertingly frequent, is the Minister satisfied that security arrangements in prisoners-of-war camps are satisfactory?

Mr. Henderson

I cannot accept the suggestion in the first part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's supplementary question, but as regards the second part, the answer is in the affirmative.