§ 70. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War why coupons granted to relatives of prisoners of war have to be exchanged for underclothing at specified private firms; whether his Department or the Red Cross supply underclothes to prisoners of war, and to what extent; whether he is satisfied that prisoners of war receive adequate and suitable clothing; and what charges are made.
§ Sir J. GriggThe arrangements for the issue of clothing coupons to relatives of prisoners of war are made by the Board of Trade. So far as I am aware, such coupons can be used at any retail firm which provides the articles required. Sufficient clothing and underclothing is sent through the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva to prisoner-of-war camps in Germany by the British Red Cross War Organisation to ensure that all prisoners of war from the British Commonwealth are adequately supplied. The quantities so sent have regard to the items sent direct to individual prisoners of war in quarterly next-of-kin parcels. Increasing dislocation of transport in Germany makes it difficult to ensure that all camps receive supplies of clothing and 650 underclothing when they are required, but as a general rule the position is satisfactory. The clothing sent out by the Red Cross is issued free to other ranks. On repatriation, officers are expected to pay for such clothing.
§ Mr. SorensenCould not the Red Cross and the War Office between them see that all underclothing is supplied, rather than leaving the relatives to go to private firms?
§ Sir J. GriggRelatives do it because they want to. There is no obligation on them to send any clothing. Any deficit is made up by the Red Cross and the War Office between them.