§ Sir R. Glynasked the Prime Minister whether he will reconsider the present system whereby all Questions in the House concerning prisoners of war or matters of the Red Cross organisation have to be addressed to the Secretary of State for 71W War; and whether, as other services are concerned, he will direct that for the future these matters be dealt with by another Minister and thus remove a burden from a hard-pressed Department?
§ The Prime MinisterThe majority of British prisoners of war are Army personnel. Moreover, in view of the importance of securing uniform and reciprocal treatment the Government has decided that the general responsibility for Questions affecting prisoners of war shall be undertaken by the War Office. The War Office is therefore bound to have a principal interest in the majority of Questions concerning prisoners, and I fear, therefore, that the adoption of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would give only apparent and not real relief to my right hon. Friend and his Department.