§ Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Secretary of State for War how many alien civilian prisoners now interned in this country have sons serving in the British Army; and if such prisoners have any special privileges?
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Mr. SAMUELMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As regards the first part of the question, I regret that no figures are available. As regards the second, the fact that an alien enemy had one or more sons voluntarily serving in the British Army was taken into consideration by the Advisory Committee on his application for exemption from internment, but where exemption was not granted it is not possible to allow special privileges to the interned alien.
§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Secretary whether, after the repatriation to Germany of civilian prisoners over forty-five years of age, he will consider the possibility of employing all those able—bodied men who remain on work of public utility, more especially as their numbers will then be reduced, and most of them are reported to be desirous so to be employed?
Mr. SAMUELThe efforts which are now being made to provide useful work for interned prisoners, which I indicated in answer to the hon. Member for York last Tuesday, will be continued after the prisoners over forty-five years of age have been repatriated.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Treasurer of the Household whether German civilian prisoners of war over forty-five years of age are given the option of returning to Germany or remaining in this country, and whether he can state the reasons for this stipulation on the part of the British Government?
Mr. HOPEThe question whether German civilian prisoners over forty-five will or will not be allowed to remain interned in this country is not dealt with in the agreement, but is under consideration. It is provided in the agreement that neither Government shall have the right to claim the repatriation of any of its nationals who do not desire to leave.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Treasurer of the Household whether negotiations have yet been concluded for the repatriation of British and Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war over a specified age?
Mr. HOPEWe are still awaiting a reply to our last communication, dated 2nd September, to the Austro-Hungarian Government on this subject.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Treasurer of the Household whether the delay in publishing the further Reports on British prisoner camps is due to the action of the 1582W State Department at Washington; and, if so, will he cause an earnest request to be made on behalf of the relatives of British prisoners of war that such Reports shall be published forthwith?
Mr. HOPEThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The United States Government are well aware of our earnest desire to publish these Reports, and any delay that has occurred is not due to His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Treasurer of the Household whether British invalid civilian prisoners of war under forty-five years of age may now hope to be interned in Switzerland under terms identical with those applicable to German, French, and Belgian civilians?
Mr. HOPEThis question is still under consideration. Perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat the question next week?
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Treasurer of the Household whether he is aware that French and German prisoners of war interned in Switzerland are permitted to attend courses of lectures at the Swiss universities; and whether British prisoners are allowed to do so?
Mr. HOPEHis Majesty's Government have no information with regard to the first part of the question, but there is no reason to suppose that British prisoners of war in Switzerland are not permitted the same privileges as those of other nationalities.