asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to the position of German ex-prisoners of war now working in this country in respect of the desertion and non-maintenance of their wives and families in Germany; and if he has consulted the German authorities in respect of this problem.

No. I have no evidence that the problem is a large one, and no action can be taken without legislation. The provisions of the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, are applicable only to territories in the Commonwealth and do not apply to foreign countries.