§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that during the past two years Dr. Markel, the German Red Cross representative, has visited a large number of camps in Great Britain containing prisoners of war and interned enemy aliens; whether these visits were paid with the sanction of the War Office; when this permission was withdrawn and for what reason; and whether his distribution of money, comforts, education equipment, etc., is still permitted to continue?
§ Mr. FORSTERUntil towards the end of last month commandants of places of internment, whether for combatant or civilian prisoners of war, were permitted to invite Dr. Markel to visit their camps, and many have taken advantage of this permission. Recently, as a number of small camps are being opened for working parties, it was decided to restrict narrowly permits of a permanent or semi-permanent nature to pay visits to camps, and the powers of commandants as regards invitations to Dr. Markel were accordingly withdrawn. Subject to this limitation Dr. Markel is permitted to carry on the work which he has hitherto done.