8.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any attempt has been made to conclude agreement with enemy countries providing for accommodation in a neutral country of prisoners who are in good health and have been in captivity a long time?
No attempts to conclude agreements of the kind mentioned have yet been made, and in the opinion of His Majesty's Government the moment has not yet come when the conclusion of such agreements can usefully be considered. The matter will, however, be borne in mind and carefully studied whenever the moment appears to be favourable.
My right hon. Friend will recollect that some of these people have been in captivity for three years?
I have that very much in mind, and I know that my hon. and gallant Friend has also in mind the sick and severely wounded prisoners of war, arrangements in respect of whom should have priority.