Mr. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any special arrangements have been made to notify the relatives of prisoners of war in the hands of the Turks of their safety and, in order to relieve the present anxiety, whether he will see that such notification is dispatched with the utmost possible expedition; and, having regard to the length of time taken for mails and casualty lists to reach this country from Mesopotamia, whether steps will be taken to ensure the early notification of the next-of-kin of the troops recently engaged in battle in that theatre of the War?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed by the military authorities that arrangements are being made for the notification by telegraph to this country of the names of all prisoners of war in the hands of the Turks and of their release when effected, and this information will be at once forwarded to the next-of-kin. With regard to the second part, notifications of all casualties of a serious or dangerous character and of serious sickness have already been telegraphed from Mesopotamia.