Sir F. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the condition in which prisoners of war are living in Yoz-gad, Turkey; whether he has official information showing that during the severe weather, when the temperature has been below zero, both officers and men have suffered terribly through having little or no clothing, and that practically the chief article of food which the officers and men receive is a poor class of porridge; whether to supplement this frugal meal it is necessary for prisoners of war to pur- 227W chase food for themselves; whether breadcosts about 2s. 6d. for 10 ozs.; and whether, in consequence of the cost of articles of food, the Government will immediately take steps to see that food and warm clothing are forwarded to Turkey with the least possible delay?
Mr. HOPEIn regard to the general conditions at Yozgad, I may say that they are not different from those at other officers' camps in Turkey. The climate is healthy, and, apart from the high cost of living and from the difficulty of obtaining certain supplies, the general conditions and treatment of the prisoners are tolerable.
Stocks of clothing are constantly dispatched to prisoners of war other than officers, at this as at other camps, by the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople. On the 7th December last food and clothing to the value of £T25,630 were dispatched to the various camps.
His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of the statements mentioned by the hon. Member in regard to the food supplied to the prisoners. Food parcels are sent from this country, and, though they take long to arrive, the majority appear to reach their destination in due course. I may add that in all countries officer prisoners of war have to pay for their own food.
There is no recent information as to the price of bread at Yozgad, but a short time ago it was less than the price stated. The price appears to vary considerably in different parts of Turkey.
An allowance is already made to all officers and men, in addition to their pay, to enable them to obtain the necessaries of life. Stops are being taken to increase these allowances. Food is already sent from this country, but it is probably more desirable that clothing should be purchased locally, and this is done by the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople, who has better facilities for securing its delivery to the prisoners
§ Mr. KINGasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that no free rations are allowed to British officers in captivity in Turkey; and whether some allowance can be made and remitted to them in this regard?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo British officers in captivity in Turkey or elsewhere receive free rations or ration allowance. They receive pay and lodging, fuel, light, and228W field allowances, and they pay for their messing. In Turkey the cost of food is high and the pay issued by the Turkish Government is supplemented by grants from the relief fund administered by the Netherlands Legation on our behalf. Grants up to £7 (Turkish) have been made and the question of increasing this sum is now under consideration, in view of the increased cost of living and the depreciated value of Turkish paper money.