§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state what are the total numbers of officers and men officially reported missing in the Gallipoli Campaign; how many of these have since been reported killed; how many have since been officially or unofficially reported prisoners; how many of those since reported killed have been presumed killed from lapse of time and without any direct evidence of death; can the number of officers and men, naval and military, in reply to the above question be given separately; and what attempts are now being made to ascertain the fate of the remainder of the missing?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs I stated on the 26th July, in answer to an oral question, the number of prisoners captured in the Dardanelles and now in the hands of the Turks are believed to be nineteen officers and 359 other ranks. The net number missing, after allowance has been made for men since reported killed, etc., is about 290 officers and 9,700 other ranks. These figures include soldiers from the Dominions, native Indians, and men of the Royal Naval Division, but not officers and men of the Royal Navy. The Army Council, after the lists of prisoners had been referred to the United States Embassy at Constantinople for further check, were satisfied that there was no ground for hoping that there were prisoners who had not been reported, and it was consequently decided that the missing officers and men not accounted for must be officially accepted as dead. Effect is being given to this decision after due consideration of the circumstances of each individual case. As regards the naval prisoners, perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question to the Admiralty.