§ Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Messrs. Cox and Company remit money to officers prisoners of war in Germany which is only paid to them in marks by the German Government at the rate of exchange obtainable before the War; whether he is also aware that the above mentioned officers can cash cheques in Germany for which they get the proper rate of exchange; and whether, therefore, he will give instructions that this system of remitting money through Messrs. Cox and Company should be discontinued forthwith?
§ Mr. FORSTERI understand that Messrs. Cox and Company remit money to officer prisoners of war in Germany through an agent in a neutral country and that officers get the full value of the current rate of exchange.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office of how many thousands of pounds the German Government have deprived British officers by paying them at par money remitted to them by Messrs. Cox and Company; and why the British Government have acquiesced In this source of increment to the German Government?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. Over a year ago when the practice of the German Government came to notice, representations were made which resulted in the German Government abandoning their practice with retrospective effect. The German communication to this effect was dated 25th February, 1916. If my hon. Friend has reason to think that the arrangement is not being carried out in any particular case, I shall be glad to know of it.