HC Deb 19 February 1946 vol 419 c198W
Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War what clothing coupons he has issued to German prisoners of war; and whether German prisoners of war on repatriation to Germany are permitted to retain clothing and musical instruments issued to them in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bellenger

No clothing coupons have been issued by the War Office, but six members of a party recently repatriated to Germany had been issued with clothing coupons during the war on the authority of my right hon. Friendthe Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as a result of special duties which they undertook. Normally no civilian clothing or musical instruments are issued to prisoners of war in the United Kingdom, but they may take back clothing which was their property on capture. I understand the musical instruments referred to in recent Press statements were captured with the prisoners.