§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Higham, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for fifteen months. Private Phillips, and others have recently been sentenced by German military authority to twelve years' imprisonment, and Dr. Bull, of Brussels, to six years hard labour; and whether these sentences will take effect immediately or will they be postponed, as in the case of French and German prisoners of war, until the conclusion of hostilities?
§ Mr. FORSTERInformation has been received that Privates Higham and Phillips and others have been sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, and that Dr. Bull has been sentenced to hard labour for six years. It is not known whether these sentences will take effect immediately; but it has not been found possible to effect an arrangement with Germany similar to that made between the French and German Governments. The whole question is under consideration.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the reason for the delay in publishing the promised quarterly White Paper containing the Reports from the American. Embassy on British prisoner camps in Germany; and whether he is aware of the anxiety of thousands of prisoners' relatives in this country to receive such Reports at the earliest possible moment?
§ Lord R. CECILWe consider it most desirable that the Reports should be published, and it is not the fault of His Majesty's Government that their publication has been delayed. My hon. Friend must remember that we cannot publish these reports without the consent of the Government of the United States.