§ 48. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he is aware that British subjects sentenced for offences in Germany may be kept in prison in Germany under German guards 607 and on rations of under 1,250 calories or which are, in any case, much lower than those given to convicts in His Majesty's prisons in the United Kingdom; and if he will give an assurance that British subjects sentenced to imprisonment in Germany are brought back at once to serve their sentences in the United Kingdom.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)British subjects and other nationals of the United Nations are detained in a special wing of a prison which is staffed by properly trained German warders but with a British supervisory staff. United Nations prisoners receive an average ration of 1,811 calories a day, as compared with German normal consumer ration of 1,550 calories, and there are special rations for those in hospital. I appreciate that this scale is lower than that given to prisoners in this country, and this matter is under consideration. I am advised that legislation would be required to authorise the transfer of persons sentenced in Germany to prisons in the United Kingdom.
§ Brigadier MackesonWould the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this legislation will be introduced at an early date? Does he agree that it is extremely unsatisfactory that British prisoners should be under German guards in German prisons?
§ Mr. HyndI cannot give any assurance as to the date when that legislation will be introduced, but it is our purpose that such legislation should be introduced. In regard to the circumstances referred to in the latter part of the supplementary question, I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the answer indicates that these men, whilst under direct domestic German warders, are under the supervision of British personnel.