§ Captain Stricklandasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being 76W taken to effect an exchange of prisoners of war?
§ Captain MargessonIf my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind an exchange of prisoners of war other than those who are entitled to repatriation on medical grounds under the terms of the Prisoners of War Convention of 1929, the answer is that no steps are being taken. As regards those who are entitled to repatriation, the position is that a mixed medical commission, as prescribed in the Convention, has completed its examination of German prisoners of war in this country, that a commission is about to be set up in Canada, and that the German Government have taken similar steps in Germany. As soon as it is clear That the German Government are prepared to repatriate all seriously ill or seriously wounded British prisoners of war whom the commission decide to he entitled to repatriation, German prisoners of war will be repatriated on the same basis.
§ Dr. Littleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that British prisoners of war in Germany are receiving food of the quantity and standard supplied to German prisoners of war in this country and, if not, whether he will have the strongest representations made to those in authority in Germany requesting them to provide food for our prisoners of war similar to that which their prisoners of war are receiving in this country?
§ Captain MargessonUnder the Prisoners of War Convention of 1929, the obligation of the detaining Power is to give prisoners of war a ration equivalent to that of its depot troops. Constant inquiries have been, and are being, made on this point. There is evidence that at certain camps the ration scale allowed to British prisoners of war is below that of the German depot troops, and strong representations have been made in the matter.