HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1287-8W
Colonel Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what complaints have been received on the ill-treatment of British prisoners of war during their incarceration by the Bulgarian guards; and what action is contemplated.

Mr. Hall

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 1st November to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

Lieut.-Colonel Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Secretary of State for War how long British repatriated prisoners of war who have arrived in this country this autumn and whose next of kin live in Scotland have had to wait for transfer to hospitals in Scotland; what is the reason for the delay, in some cases of many weeks, in effecting these transfers; and if arrangements can be made to allow next of kin free-travel warrants to visit repatriated prisoners of war who cannot at once be moved to hospitals near their own homes.

Sir J. Grigg

I understand that most of these men had either gone home on leave or had been transferred to hospitals in Scotland within eight days of their arrival and all but seven had been so moved within 14 days. The reasons for keeping these men in England varied but some were at the time unfit for travelling and for others suitable hospital accommodation was not immediately available in Scotland. In reply to the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question I would refer him to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 21st March.

Mr. Wootton-Davies

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men suffering from tuberculosis and repatriated from prisoner of war camps are still retained in the Army.

Sir J. Grigg

The answer to my hon. Friend's Question would involve a detailed examination of the records of the medical boards held on all prisoners of war who have returned to this country. But as soldiers suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis are not normally retained in the Army the answer to my hon. Friend's Question is probably "Very few, if any."

Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the parcels sent to prisoners of war are dependent upon the amount of money subscribed by the public to the Red Cross funds.

Sir J. Grigg

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to food parcels. The whole cost of these is borne by Red Cross funds subscribed by the public.