§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he will state the total number of British prisoners of war who have now reached Holland from Germany under The Hague agreement; how many still remain in Germany who are eligible for exchange under the agreement; and how soon it is hoped that they will all have reached Holland?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEThe number of British prisoners who have reached Holland for internment under The Hague 1401W agreement is 313 officers and 1,165 others. It is not possible to answer the latter part of the question, as, owing to the automatic effect of this part of the agreement, the number eligible is never constant.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division), whether the agreement recently concluded at Berne with reference to an exchange of British and Turkish prisoners has yet been ratified by Turkey; if not, if he can state when the Turkish representatives left Berne; whether any news has been received of or from them since they left; and what is the reason for the delay?
§ Mr. HOPENo news has yet been received of the ratification by the Ottoman Government of the Berne Agreement relative to prisoners of war which was signed on 28th December, 1917. Some of the Turkish delegates at the Conference are understood to have returned to Turkey immediately on its conclusion, while others are believed to be still in Switzerland. The text of the Agreement is alleged by the Turkish Government however only to have reached them about the 10th instant. His Majesty's Government are unaware of any reason for delay in ratification and have requested the Dutch Government to ascertain through its representative in Constantinople how the matter now stands.