§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that letters written in Ireland to soldier prisoners at Giessen appear to be stopped in transit, though 2254W letters from England are regularly delivered in this camp; and if he will make inquiries on the subject?
§ Mr. PEASEMy right hon. Friend's attention was recently drawn to a complaint that letters from Ireland for Irish prisoners of war at Giessen were being stopped in transit, and the inquiry which was instituted as a result of this complaint made it clear that the correspondence is not being delayed or detained in this country. An examination of the correspondence for prisoners of war abroad was made on a recent date when a number of letters from Ireland for prisoners of war at Giessen were observed in course of transmission, from this country. We are, however, making further inquiry in the matter.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether any British prisoners have yet arrived in Holland under The Hague agreement, and, if not, how soon they are expected; also, whether British prisoners have been sent to Switzerland to replace those recently repatriated; and, if not, whether such prisoners have yet been chosen by the medical commission, and when they may be expected to reach Switzerland?
Mr. J. HOPEEighty-one British officers and 331 other ranks arrived in Switzerland from Germany on Tuesday. I regret to say that, so far as we know, none have yet arrived in Holland. A difficulty has arisen as to the order of transportation of various classes of prisoners, and negotiations on the point are proceeding.