§ 111. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war there are in this country; and whether he will arrange to separate them into those known to be 186W sympathetic to Nazi teachings and those known to have been against it and to provide better amenities for those of the latter class in order that when they return to their own country this distinction may be appreciated.
§ Mr. LawsonThe total is about 385,000. I could not undertake to segregate the different categories as suggested. Prisoners of war are widely dispersed in camps, working parties, hostels and billets, and segregation would not be practicable. Moreover, the anti-Nazi prisoners exercise a beneficial influence on the other categories. No Nazi is permitted to occupy a position of influence in camps, hut, as my hon. Friend was informed in reply to a Question last Tuesday, only the ardent Nazis, who might cause trouble, are kept apart from the others.