§ 4. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has been received from the German Government to the proposals for the repatriation or transfer to a neutral country of prisoners of war who have been long in captivity.
§ Mr. EdenI regret that I am unable to add to the reply given on 11th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Lady Apsley).
§ Sir A. KnoxIs there any possible means of pushing this matter, as many of these men have been confined in Germany for four and a half years?
§ Mr. EdenI share my hon. and gallant Friend's feelings. We put what we thought was a very reasonable proposition to the German Government, and we have done all we can to secure its acceptance—I am afraid without success. We are now examining whether there is any alternative proposal we can put forward which might have a better chance of acceptance, and if we find one we shall forward it through the Protecting Power. We shall certainly try all we can.
§ Professor SavoryWill the right hon. Gentleman press for special consideration for doctors and men of the R.A.M.C. who, in accordance with the Geneva Convention, should be repatriated?