§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that it is persistently given out by prisoners of war returned from Germany that there are many prisoners of war still hidden in the salt mines in Germany, in particular, it is asserted that Private Harry O'Hanlon, No. 201382, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers, reported missing since 21st March, 1918, and Private Dugald Cameron, No. 10080, 7th Cameron Highlanders, reported missing since 27th March, 1918, have been seen in the salt mines; and, as these statements cause great anxiety to their relatives, including the brother of the first-named, P. O'Hanlon, 4, James Nisbet Street, Town head, Glasgow, whether he will cause an investigation to be made into such assertions and, if they seem well founded, send a commission to the salt mines in Germany to find the prisoners alleged to be detained and have them released?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll inquiries which have been made into alleged cases of prisoners of war being hidden in salt mines in Germany have so far proved such statements to be unfounded. If my hon. Friend will forward definite information in the two cases referred to and the regimental particulars of the soldiers furnishing it, I shall be glad to have the matter carefully investigated
§ Mr. LYLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the admitted fact that 1,896 British prisoners of war in Germany cannot be traced, he has asked, or intends to ask, the German Government what explanation they are able to offer as to the fate of these men?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA list containing the names of all British prisoners of war not accounted for has been sent to our military representatives at Spa and at Berlin for communication to the German authorities. They were instructed to hand a copy of this list to the German authorities and to demand that every man mentioned should be accounted for. Our representative in Berlin has been further instructed to make a rigorous examination of all German records with a view to elucidating the fate of these men. The list as originally sent out in February contained, approximately, 165W 2,900 names of prisoners of war who had not been accounted for; this has now been reduced to 1,662 on 23rd April.