§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether negotiations are in progress for the release from Germany and England of prisoners of war who have been interned for over two years; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of General Friedrichs last week before the Reichstag Committee to the effect that over 600 British prisoners are immediately to be repatriated; and whether he can confirm this information?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe War Office have no knowledge of this other than what has appeared in the papers.
§ Sir E. CORNWALLasked the Secretary of State for War what information he now has as to the number, treatment, whereabouts, and condition of health of British prisoners in the hands of the Bulgarians; and whether he will consider the possibility of arranging for those unfit for combatant service being released, exchanged, or interned in Switzerland?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe number of these prisoners is about 450. The latest information is that all British prisoners of war are to be concentrated at Philippopolis. The difficulty of ensuring that proper clothing shall reach the men was mentioned in the reply given to the hon. Member for West Belfast on the 17th October. Arrangements have been made, in principle, with the Bulgarian Government for the mutual repatriation of those who are incapacitated for further service, but the military situation is such that it is extremely difficult to put it into execution. According to information in our possession very few of our men in Bulgaria are eligible for such repatriation. My hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of transferring invalid soldiers to Switzerland.