§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister whether there are three large ships lying in Portsmouth Harbour containing about 4,000 interned alien enemies; whether these alien enemies I can have a full view of the proceedings 747W in Portsmouth Dockyard and Harbour as well as of all signals made; whether other matters useful to the enemy could be observed by these prisoners; whether any of these prisoners have been released since their arrival at Portsmouth; if so, how many; and whether he can see his way to remove such a danger from the precincts of our first naval port and arsenal?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe objection to prison ships lying in Portsmouth Harbour are admitted, though I am informed that, owing to the precautions taken, the amount of information that can be acquired by observation is not likely to be of any value. Owing to the large number of prisoners that had to be dealt with at short notice by the military authorities, no other arrangement at the time was possible, but steps are being taken to find other accommodation with as little delay as possible. From information supplied to me by the War Office, it appears that 351 prisoners have been released.