§ 69. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War how many German officers are detained in the Ostend prisoners-of-war camp; how many have died since it was first opened; and whether he will state the caloric value of their rations as at 1st March, 1946.
§ Mr. BellengerThere are two German prisoner-of-war camps near Ostend, one of which contains 73 officers and the other 2,013 officers. Both camps were opened in August, 1945, and there have been four deaths in the first camp and three in the second since then. On 1st March, 1946, the caloric value of their rations was 2,400.
§ Mr. StokesCan my hon. Friend say whether the ration was changed on or about 1st March, or whether that is the ration which persisted throughout the winter months?
§ Mr. BellengerThat was the ration then. There was a ration of 2,400 calories on the date my hon. Friend mentions in his Question. Since then it has been reduced to 2,000 calories.
§ Mr. ScollanWill my hon. Friend say whether that ration is not as much as the civilian population are getting in this country?
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask my hon. Friend for an answer to my supplementary question? What was the ration in the winter months? My information is that it was very much below 2,000 calories.
§ Mr. BellengerI assume the ration was 2,400 calories. My hon. Friend asked what was the ration on a specific date, 1st March, and I have given him the answer.
§ Mr. StokesI will put down the question again.
§ Lieut.-Commander Joynson-HicksCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any reason to suppose that the seven deaths were caused by under-nourishment?
§ Mr. BellengerI have no reason to believe so.