§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the two subcommittees set up under the Imperial Prisoners of War Committee have yet begun to function; and if they are satisfied that the inspections of prisoners of war camps in the enemy-occupied countries by the International Red Cross are adequate to ensure the carrying out of the provisions of the Geneva Prisoners of War Convention, 1929;
(2) whether the Imperial Prisoners of War Committee has yet begun to function; and if so, how many meetings have been held?
§ Captain MargessonThe Imperial Prisoners of War Committee and its two sub-committees are functioning entirely satisfactorily. Ten meetings have so far been held. I am satisfied that conditions prevailing in British prisoner of war camps under German or Italian control are being kept under close watch as a result of regular inspections by the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee, and that where any breach of the Convention is observed a prompt protest is made to the enemy government concerned.