§ 14. Sir William Davisonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the internal dislocation of transport in Germany, no Red Cross parcels have recently been reaching the prisoners-of-war camps; and whether special lorries can be placed at the disposal of the International Red Cross for this purpose, to meet the serious position which has arisen.
§ 16. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War what is being done to meet the difficulties of transport of food parcels for British prisoners of war in Germany; and if he has considered the possibility of dropping food parcels by air in the prisoners-of-war camps concerned, under the auspices of the International Red Cross.
§ 21. Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the chaotic conditions of German transport, an enormous amount of next-of-kin food parcels is accumulating in Switzerland, while British prisoners of war are not receiving even the minimum rations as agreed in the Geneva Convention; and will he at once arrange for the International Red Cross to be supplied with the necessary petrol and lorries to enable food to be transported to the prisoners-of-war camps in Germany.
§ 27. Sir Percy Harrisasked the Secretary of State for War whether any improvement has been found possible in the 1225 transport facilities for food parcels for prisoners of war in Germany; and whether the possibilities of using transport aeroplanes under the auspices of the International Red Cross for this purpose have been considered.
§ 33 and 34. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the Secretary of State for War (1) if, in view of the fact that the reserve parcels have been or are now being consumed, he will arrange with the International Red Cross to have supplies of concentrated foods dropped by air to all prisoners-of-war camps within reach;
(2) if, in view of the fact that Red Cross parcel reserves in the prisoners-of-war camps have in most cases been consumed, he will state what arrangements have been made by the International Red Cross or by His Majesty's Government to ensure food supplies to these camps.
§ Sir J. GriggI hope to make a full statement after Questions to-morrow.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that, by reason of Allied bombing, transport between Germany and Switzerland has practically ceased, and that more than 1,000 tons of Red Cross parcels are lying in Basle Post Office, while 100,000 tons of stores are retained in Switzerland, as the Germans cannot accept delivery?
§ Sir J. GriggI hope to cover that aspect of the question in my statement tomorrow. I am waiting for a little more information, as I want to make this statement as complete as I can.