§ Mr. JOWETTasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether the Central Prisoners of War Committee insist on the sum of 6s. being paid for each parcel (weighing about 5½ lbs.) sent to prisoners of war; if he is aware that some of the relatives of prisoners have been in the habit of sending parcels which, whilst 1491W only costing about 2s. each, weighed 11 lbs., and contained food known to be desired by the prisoners to whom they were sent; if he is aware that a number of those who had previously sent two parcels a week to a prisoner relative cannot afford to send parcels frequently at 6s. each; and if he will make some arrangement whereby parcels of food can be sent by relatives and friends to prisoners of war subject to the parcels being securely packed?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEThe attention of the Central Prisoners of War Committee has been called to this matter. They inform me that a system is in force (as to which detailed information can be obtained from the Committee) by which persons unable to bear the whole cost of sending parcels can obtain the assistance of others. The weight of the 6s. parcel is 10 lbs. I am afraid that the necessary control could not be exercised if the suggestion at the end of the question were adopted.
§ Mr. JOWETTasked whether the relatives and friends of commissioned officers who are prisoners of war are allowed to send them parcels of food and are not obliged to send money for the purchase of food by the Central Prisoners of War Committee?
§ Mr. HOPEYes, Sir, that is so. The reason is that the relatively small number of parcels for officers makes it possible for the authorities to deal with them separately. In the case of other ranks, the number of parcels is so great as to render it necessary that they should be dealt with through one channel.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked whether an agreement has yet been reached with the German Government as to the repatriation of civilian prisoners of war over forty-five years of age, and when it is likely to become operative; and what reply has been given to the proposals for repatriating or interning in a neutral country those civilian prisoners who are under the age of forty-five?
§ Mr. HOPEThe agreement is not yet concluded, but we have just given a final answer which we trust will be accepted on the one outstanding point of difficulty. In case of acceptance by the German Government the agreement will come into force at once; and in anticipation of a conclusion arrangements are being made for repatriation as early as is practicable. With regard to the second part of the question,1492W I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Papers Nos. 25 and 35 Miscellaneous (1916).
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield whether his attention has been called to Bishop Bury's favourable account of his recent visit to British prisoners of war at Ruhleben; and whether the previous information at the disposal of His Majesty's Government goes to confirm or modify that report?
§ Mr. HOPEThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the second part of the question, conditions at Ruhleben appear to be now as favourable as circumstances permit.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield whether he is aware that the heating apparatus was removed from some of the barracks at Ruhleben and had not been replaced in November; and whether he will invite the attention of the American Embassy to this hardship to prisoners of war interned at that camp?
§ Mr. HOPEThe United States Charge d'Affaires at Berlin informed us on 2nd November that the heating of the wooden barracks, with the possible exception of Nos. 12 and 13, as to which improvements would be urged, was not unsatisfactory. On the other hand, the boilers intended to heat the thirteen stone barracks and the Young Men's Christian Association building had not as yet been installed for the winter. The Camp Commander had assured the Embassy that he was doing all in his power to enable the boilers to be erected promptly.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield whether civilian prisoners of war in Austria who are interned, but not in detention camps, are not allowed to receive parcels of food under the new regulations; and can he state the reason for this deprivation?
§ Mr. HOPEParcels may be sent from this country to prisoners of war and interned civilians only and not to British subjects who are still at liberty. In the case of Austria there are, in addition to interned persons, several classes of "confinees." It is a matter of some difficulty to decide whether persons coming within these categories are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war or not. It is open to persons wishing to send parcels to a British subject in Austria whose status is doubtful to apply to the War Trade Department for a licence.
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§ Mr. MALCOLMasked whether prisoners of war undergoing sentences of imprisonment in Germany and England are now allowed to receive food parcels during the period of their incarceration?
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked whether His Majesty's Government has yet received any answer to their proposals, addressed through the American Embassy at Vienna to the Austrian Government, as to the exchange of civilian prisoners of war interned in Austria; and, if not, what reason is assigned for the refusal to reply to a communication made three months ago?
§ Mr. HOPEThe United States Ambassador was requested on the 24th November to ask the United States Ambassador at Vienna to remind the Austro-Hungarian Government of this matter; sufficient time has not yet elapsed for a reply to this last communication to be received.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked why the differences which exist between the military codes of Great Britain and other countries prevent His Majesty's Government from negotiating with Germany for the postponement of the execution of grave sentences of imprisonment, inflicted upon prisoners of war, until the conclusion of hostilities?
§ Mr. HOPEAll disciplinary punishments, by which is meant such as can be inflicted by an individual, as distinguished from those which can be awarded by a court-martial, are exempted from the agreement which has been concluded between France and Germany. This exemption is made to enable effective control to be maintained over prisoners of war. By the English military code, however, disciplinary powers are far less than those sanctioned in France and Germany, and it would be impossible to maintain discipline with such powers as we now possess. The question, which is a complicated one, is under consideration.