§ Sir E. Makinsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that advices from German camps where prisoners of war are confined show that in many cases there are signs of mental strain; and whether in the selection of prisoners of war for repatriation sympathetic consideration is given to those men who suffer from obvious mental derangement due to confinement and to the difficult conditions under which they exist?
§ Sir J. GriggThe selection of prisoners of war for repatriation is carried out according to the Geneva Convention by a Mixed Medical Commission of two neutral doctors and one German doctor. Mental and nervous affections are specified in the Convention as diseases which jusify repatriation. Thirty-two British prisoners of war were recently included on these grounds among those repatriated from Germany. The number of prisoners of war in Germany classified as suffering from mental ailments is small. Mental hospitals in Germany are frequently visited by the Protecting Power and the prisoner of war inmates also occasionally receive visits from British chaplains. They are supplied with books and Red Cross parcels.
§ Mr. Hewlettasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will expedite the issue of instructions to Army commanders that repatriated prisoners of war will be enabled to spend Christmas at their homes, in view of the fact that many of these men have already been, refused the concession?
§ Sir J. GriggThe necessary instructions covering prisoners of war repatriated from Germany were issued on 30th November and 2nd December. Similar instructions covering prisoners of war repatriated from1820W Italy were issued on 10th December. Scotsmen if they so desire may take this leave at New Year instead of at Christmas.