HC Deb 16 February 1943 vol 386 c1608W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to why the issue of battle-dress to British prisoners of war in Italy has not been received; and whether he will make immediate inquiries through the Protecting Power to ascertain the reason why British officers and men are not provided with proper clothing, especially at camp P.M. 3200, Italy?

Sir J. Grigg

To make good the failure of the Italian Government to make adequate provision of clothing for all prisoners of war in their custody in accordance with Article 12 of the Prisoners of War Convention, supplies of clothing and under-clothing for all British prisoners in Italy have been despatched to the International Red Cross at Geneva and the bulk of these supplies has reached Geneva and has been despatched from there to the camps. But transport difficulties in Italy are considerable and delays have occurred. The International Red Cross has been and is doing its best to overcome them. P.M. 3200 is a postal district covering more than twenty camps. If my hon. Friend will send me the number of the particular camp he has in mind I will gladly let him know what the clothing situation is there.