HC Deb 05 February 1918 vol 101 c2136W
Mr. WATT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the attention of his Department has been called to the. case of Lieutenant John G. Frew, a prisoner of war at Holzminden, but now removed to Sweidnitz, a medical student of nineteen years of age, who has lost the use of both arms by machine-gun bullet-wounds; is he aware that exchanged prisoners coming home have conveyed the urgency of having this lad exchanged in order that necessary operations may be performed; and will he take steps to represent to those who deal with this matter the advisability of having this man exchanged without delay?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A British officer recently repatriated informed the Army Council that the- medical officer of the camp had asked him to draw their attention to the case of Lieutenant Frew. The Council were, however, already aware of the officer's condition, and included his name in a list sent to Germany in November last of cases for special consideration.

Colonel YATE

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he can now give any further information as to the progress of the negotiations regarding the British and Indian prisoners of war in Turkey?

Mr. J. HOPE

The agreement relative to British prisoners of war in Turkey and to Turkish prisoners of war in British hands, which was signed at Berne by British and Turkish delegates, was ratified by His Majesty's Government on 15th January, and we hope shortly to hear of its ratification by the Ottoman Government. So soon as that has taken place, it is proposed to lay its text before Parliament.