§ Mr. SWANasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of German and other prisoners of war still detained by the British; how these men are employed; if the reason for the delay in repatriation is lack of shipping; and whether arrangements will be made for the Navy to undertake their transshipment to Germany?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are about 86,000 prisoners of war still in British charge, including about 4,000 Germans in the United Kingdom, 2,000 Bulgars in Salonika, and 80,000 Turks in Egypt and other Mediterranean stations, Mesopotamia, and India. As regards the Germans, about half are being repatriated immediately, and of the remainder a few are riot at present fit to be moved, owing to illness, but the great majority were concerned in the Scapa Flow sinkings, and are detained by direction of the Supreme Council. The Bulgars are employed on labour duties. The authority of the Supreme Council for their repatriation has been requested. Some of the Turks are engaged on useful work (irrigation, etc.). The repatriation of those in Egypt is being effected as quickly as shipping can be provided, and the authority of the Supreme Council has been requested for the repatriation of those detained elsewhere, but the shortage of sea transport must cause some delay. With regard to the last part of the question, it is not proposed to ask the Navy to undertake this transport. So far as the 1051W Germans are concerned the German Government are sending their own shipping for the purpose.