§ Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will endeavour to procure the withdrawal of the ban on the sending of small individual parcels to prisoners of war from Switzerland; and if he will encourage the sending of such parcels from the United States of America in view of the difficulties now likely to arise in the transport of parcels by the ordinary route?
§ Sir J. GriggHis Majesty's Government cannot ban the despatch of parcels from Switzerland but in order to control our resources of foreign exchange no payment can be made from or in this country for parcels addressed to individual prisoners of war. Apart from this objection it is not to the common interest of the general body of prisoners for parcels to be addressed to individuals. This would lead to unfair distribution of food 1791W in the camps and unequal treatment of prisoners, and it would aggravate the difficulties of transporting the Red Cross parcels which are so important for the well-being of our prisoners. This policy has been very carefully considered and has been adopted by all parts of the British Commonwealth. I regret therefore that I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.
§ Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the ill-treatment of British prisoners of war in Offlag IX.A.H., which commenced on 30th September, was still continuing on 30th October; that this treatment was in reprisal for alleged inhuman treatment of German prisoners of war on the ss. "Pasteur," on the voyage from Suez to Durban in March; and will he inquire whether any such treatment took place and make representations through the Protecting Power?
§ Sir J. GriggI am aware of the ill-treatment to which British prisoners of war have been subjected in the camp referred to in the Question. Representations were made through the Protecting Power against this breach of the Geneva Convention and I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that conditions in the camp returned to normal on 28th November. It was not known until very recently that the ill-treatment was intended by the German authorities as a reprisal for incidents which it is alleged took place on board the "Pasteur." These incidents have been fully investigated and are now being discussed through the Protecting Power.
§ Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether the 318,000 prisoners of war parcels despatched from Lisbon on the 29th October have arrived at Genoa; whether in future all parcels will be sent via Marseilles; and whether, since the German occupation, parcels are being sent forward from that port to Geneva?
§ Sir J. GriggThere was no despatch of 318,000 parcels from Lisbon to Genoa on or about the date mentioned in the Question. My hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that parcels will be sent to whatever port is likely to be the most useful in the circumstances prevailing at the time the shipment is made. I am1792W informed that all parcels which have reached Marseilles have gone on to Geneva.