asked the Secretary of State for War why money payments to billeted prisoners of war are distributed each week from Batford Camp, Hertfordshire, by lorry over a wide area; and what petrol consumption is involved in this procedure.

Billeted prisoners of war administered by this camp are paid once a month, not weekly. It is, however, necessary that they should be visited twice a month, not only that they may receive their pay, but for other administrative purposes, such as clothes changing. A 15-cwt. truck or a light car is used for these journeys and the petrol consumed on them at this particular camp has in the past been approximately eight gallons a month.