§ 34. Mrs. Middletonasked the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued to commanding officers in charge of prisoner-of-war camps regarding the appearance of prisoners of war at 1869 public meetings; what recent changes have been made in such instructions; the nature of these; and the reasons governing the introduction of such changes.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Shinwell)No instructions have been issued about prisoners of war attending public meetings. As regards speaking in public, prisoners have always been discouraged from making public speeches. An instruction has recently been issued, however, that they should be forbidden to speak at public meetings or meetings at which Press reporters are present. The reason for this instruction was that an undesirable speech made by a prisoner of war was the subject of adverse Press comment in this country and in Berlin.