§ Colonel YATEasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether an allowance of money is made by the Dutch Minister at Constantinople to all warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men, British and Indian, who are prisoners in Turkey; what the amount is for each camp; and whether he considers the amount adequate?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Dutch Minister at Constantinople has been authorised to make money allowances within certain limits to warrant officers, N.C.O.s, and men, when he thinks it necessary. These limits are considered adequate. I will communicate the limits to my hon. and gallant Friend confidentially, if he desires.
§ Colonel YATEasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he is aware that, owing to the non-arrival of money at a prisoners' camp in Turkey, British prisoners were reduced to selling their clothing and the gold stoppings of their teeth in order to buy food; and whether he will endeavour to arrange for 717W the establishment of an emergency fund at each camp in charge of the senior British officer or non-commissioned officer?
Mr. J. HOPEHis Majesty's Government have received a statement to the effect mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, which was, I believe, from Kedos. It was stated at the same time that according to letters from that camp, dated February last, the issue of the relief allowances from the Netherlands Legation was three or four months overdue. An inquiry on the subject was made by telegraph of the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople, who replied that according to the receipt signed by the senior officer at Kedos the allowances were received with no such inordinate delay as would appear from the letters in question. The Dutch inspectors will be requested to investigate the origin of the apparent discrepancy. The Netherlands Minister has been consulted by telegraph as to the advisability of establishing emergency funds at the various camps.