§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyteasked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken with regard to the bad behaviour of Italian prisoners of war in Tiverton and the neighbouring districts; whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the men involved in the incident in Tiverton on 25th October; and if he will take steps to ensure that discipline is maintained among these prisoners and that they are prevented from wandering about the country and frightening respectable women, particularly near Tiverton and Sampford Peverell.
§ Sir J. GriggThe camp at Tiverton houses Italian prisoners who have been removed from other camps because of their subversive tendencies. I have no information of an incident on 25th October. An incident did, however, take place on the night of 27th-28th October when crude pamphlets bearing fascist slogans were distributed in a small area of the town, but so far the perpetrators have not been discovered, although investigations are still proceeding. A small number of Italian co-operators are billeted in the area who are allowed to exercise within defined limits, and any complaints against their behaviour should be reported to the Commandant, who will deal with them. In this connection I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 14th November.