HC Deb 10 June 1943 vol 390 c872W
Mr. Leach

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that copies of a booklet issued by the British Field Sports Society commending blood sports are being distributed to prison camps abroad through the agency of the Red Cross Society and that a request by the League against cruel sports to be allowed to send literature combating such views has been refused by the Chairman of the British Red Cross Society; and will he consult with that body to ensure that such prohibition may be withdrawn?

Sir J. Grigg

I understand that the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John are unable, within the limitations imposed by the transport facilities at their disposal for books and recreational material, to take advantage of all the offers made to them of books, magazines and other literature for despatch to prisoners of war. They therefore have to select those items for which requests have been made, or those which their experience indicates are most likely to be of interest to the prisoners. I am unaware that there have been complaints from the prisoners of the discretion exercised by the War Organisation in this matter.