§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what is the present state of the negotiations relating to the carrying out of The Hague agreement as to an exchange of prisoners with Germany; whether ships have yet been secured for carrying the German prisoners from England; whether English prisoners in Germany will leave at the same time as German prisoners in England; and what accommodation has been secured in Holland for their reception?
Mr. J. HOPEI am happy to say that the German military authorities are prepared at once to repatriate 800 British prisoners. Shipping is available, and I am informed that the prisoners will be able to start as soon as the German Admiralty give their consent to the route between Rotterdam and Boston proposed by the Dutch Government. Accommoda- 609W tion for the prisoners to be interned in Holland has been secured in the neighbourhood of The Hague, and will be available next month.