HC Deb 23 July 1941 vol 373 cc898-9W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British officers and other ranks indicating the unit in which they served were taken prisoner in Greece during the operations: whether the legation of the United States of America in Athens has been able to improve the conditions of the concentration camps at Corinth and other places; and whether there is any early move of these prisoners of war to Italy contemplated, in view of the economic conditions now prevailing in Greece?

Mr. Sandys

No definite information has yet been received from Germany with regard to the number of British soldiers taken prisoner in Greece or the units to which they belong. I have not heard of any proposal to move British prisoners in Greece to Italy, but I understand that they are being transferred to Germany as quickly as transport facilities permit, and that most of them have already left Greece. In the meantime, the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John have placed £5,000 at the disposal of the International Red Cross and £10,000 at the disposal of the British Ambassador at Angora for the purpose of making such local purchases in Greece as may be necessary to meet the immediate requirements of these prisoners who remain. I am also informed that the Hellenic Red Cross is spending about 1,000,000 drachmas a month for similar purposes.