§ Mr. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many man-hours have been spent over the last year by British soldiers carrying out guard duties at Spandau Prison, Berlin;
(2) what is the current composition of the British Army guard at Spandau Prison—when it is Great Britain's turn to supply the guard—what arms are carried by this guard; and why this duty is performed by military personnel.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe guard provided, when it is Great Britain's turn, is composed of one officer and 25 men, who carry personal weapons. In the last year a British guard was maintained for 92 days on a 24-hour basis, but precise figures for hours worked are not readily available. Military personnel perform this task because under the arrangements for Spandau Prison, which were agreed in the aftermath of the last war on a quadripartite basis between the USSR, United States of America, France and the United Kingdom, each of the four Powers takes its turn to provide the soldiers to guard the prison.