§ 1. Mr. Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Italian prisoners of war have their boots collected by motor-cyclists, repaired within 48 hours and returned by motorcyclists; and is he satisfied that this is a desirable use of man-power and petrol.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)The answer to the first part of the Question is, No, Sir. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind, they will be investigated.
§ Mr. WakefieldI have given considerable notice to the right hon. Gentleman, and he has not even asked me for this information. Surely he ought to know what is going on in his Department?
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir; and I can find nothing that is going on that is reconcilable with the information that appeared in the "Daily Herald" on Monday.
§ Mr. WakefieldIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ 27. Mr. G. Straussasked the Secretary of State for War whether any special restrictions have been imposed on those Italian prisoners of war in this country who have volunteered to fight with the allied forces.
§ 3. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the formation of non-combatant units of Italian prisoners of war in this country in order to relieve British troops for other duties.
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer the hon. Member and the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave last Tuesday to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. I. Thomas). These arrangements will enable Italian prisoners of war, who are anxious to do so, to join most effectively in the common war effort.
§ Mr. G. StraussCan the right hon. Gentleman say why these volunteers should not be an integral part now of the Allied Forces and have all the rights and liberties of men in foreign units here, or Germans in the Pioneer Corps?
§ Sir J. GriggBecause at present co-belligerency is not precisely on all fours with Allied status.