HC Deb 22 November 1917 vol 99 cc1395-6W
General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether any arrangements have yet been made for the supply of puttees or leggings to our prisoners of war in Germany; whether any puttees or leggings have yet been provided and, if so, how many have been dispatched; and, if none have yet been dispatched, will the necessary arrangements be hastened, as it is already very cold in Germany?

Mr. JAMES HOPE

I am informed that the supply of puttees is now available, and the instructions to which I referred in my reply to the question of my hon. and gallant Friend on 5th November have been circulated for the approval of the organisations concerned. No puttees have yet been dispatched, but I hope they soon will be.

Sir I. PHILIPPS

asked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether a notice in the "Daily Mail" newspaper of the 10th November regarding clothes of British prisoners of war in Germany was issued by authority or passed by the Censor; whether, as stated therein, the multi-coloured clothing therein described is the only clothing allowed to be worn by our men in Germany; whether any clothing is allowed to be sent to our prisoners from their homes; and if he will have an authorised statement issued to the Press giving clearly and intelligently the present situation as regards the suppy of clothing?

Mr. HOPE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The notice was issued for the purpose of removing misapprehensions respecting a previous announcement in the Press. As to the second part, the clothing supplied by care committees is in accordance with the regulations of the German Govern- ment, and is the only kind permitted. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative, except in so far as certain small articles of personal or medical utility may now be included in a personal parcel, in regard to the dispatch of which regulations have been published in the Press. In regard to the suggestion in the last part of the question, I shall be glad to talk it over with my hon. and gallant Friend.