HC Deb 10 December 1946 vol 431 cc966-7
14. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements so that camp money saved by prisoners of war may be changed into sterling and handed over to the Save Europe Now Committee, and the proceeds used for the purpose of sending clothing and voluntarily saved food to the friends and relations of the prisoners of war.

Mr. Bellenger

Prisoners of war can assist their families in Germany by remitting part of their credit balances: they do not require sterling for this purpose. With regard to sending parcels of clothing and food, arrangements have been made with the Save Europe Now organisation, whereby prisoners may send a parcel as a Christmas gift to their relatives or friends in the British controlled zone of Germany, containing articles of their own property, or such as are available for purchase in camp canteens, but it would not be desirable or practicable for prisoners to give their own rations for this purpose

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, to my knowledge, in several camps quite considerable sums have been collected for this purpose; and will he explain to the House why it is impossible to permit the prisoners to exchange their camp money for sterling in order to send it to one of the relief societies? Is it the Treasury?

Mr. Bellenger

No, Sir. I should have thought that the prisoners could send all the money they want to direct to relatives or friends.

Mr. Stokes

They cannot.

Mr. Bellenger

The whole purpose of this organisation is to enable people in Germany to get some benefit by such efforts.

Mr. Stokes

I know, but is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that they are forced to change their money at the wrong rate of exchange when they do this; and why cannot he come to an arrangement with his right hon. Friend the Chancellor, so that these people who are completely at our mercy have a square deal? May I have an answer?

Mr. Bellenger

I think my hon. Friend exaggerates a little. These prisoners, as he will see from an answer I shall give to a later Question, are being dealt with as fairly as we possibly can deal with them.