§ Mr. YERBURGHasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Admiral Chilcott and Colonel Stratton, both invalids of over sixty-five years of age, who were sent from Nauheim to Giessen en route for the concentration camp at Ruhleben, but were too ill to proceed there, were sent back to Nauheim and are still detained at that place; and whether, as on the grounds that they were military prisoners of war they were not permitted to leave Germany with other British persons of over fifty-five years of age, steps can be now taken for their early release in exchange for invalid military prisoners in this country?
§ Sir E. GREYThe German Government refused to include Admiral Chilcott and Colonel Stratton among those who were released as being over the age of fifty-five on the ground that they were retired officers and possibly capable of performing some military duties. On 10th December His Majesty's Government proposed that these two retired officers should be included among those to be released as certified incapacitated for military service. The German Government refused this suggestion and stated that the release of these officers should form the subject of special negotiation. His Majesty's Government informed the United States Ambassador on 20th January that any reasonable proposal on this matter would be entertained. His Majesty's Government at the same time pointed out that they could not offer prisoners of the same category in exchange as such individuals had not been detained in this country, but that they were prepared to exchange for
398Wthese officers two German subjects equally valueless from a military point of view. No reply has been received to this communication, but the matter will continue to receive the attention of His Majesty's Government.