HC Deb 23 February 1944 vol 397 c809
9. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made in negotiations with Germany with a view to an arrangement, under paragraph 72 of the Geneva Convention, for the accommodation in neutral countries of prisoners of war in good health who have been a long time in captivity; and whether, under such an arrangement, British prisoners might be sent to Eire and German prisoners to Switzerland or Sweden.

Mr. Law

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State made on 18th January, pointing out the necessity of collecting full particulars on the basis of which a proposal might be made to the German Government. These particulars are not yet available for the reasons which he then gave. There have not, therefore, up till now, been any negotiations either with the German Government or with other Governments. I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for the suggestion in the second part of the Question, which will be carefully considered.

Sir A. Knox

Would the right hon. Gentleman state what particulars are necessary? Surely we know all our prisoners who have been a long time in captivity?

Mr. Law

German prisoners of war are distributed over the length and breadth of the British Commonwealth, and we have to get particulars from other parts of the Commonwealth before we can proceed any further with this matter.

Sir A. Knox

But surely, after four years, the right hon. Gentleman's Department ought to have those particulars?