§ 17. Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information of the number of British Air Force prisoners of war in Java; and whether there is now any likelihood of the names of the men being received from the Japanese authorities?
§ Sir A. SinclairI regret that I have no information as to the number of British Air Force prisoners of war in Java. As regards the second part of the Question, efforts are being made by the Imperial Prisoners of War Committee acting through the Foreign Office to obtain information from the Japanese Government, either through the protecting Power or from the International Red Cross. I hope these efforts will prove successful.
40. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the fact that the Japanese are regularly broadcasting the names of prisoners taken at Singapore and elsewhere in the Far East, he will take steps to publish these names and also state the wavelength used by the Japanese for this purpose?
§ The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)No, Sir. Our experience is that names given by enemy radio are often misleading or incorrect. Relatives of prisoners are informed by the Service authorities concerned as soon as names are verified.
Dr. ThomasIn view of the grave anxiety among the relatives of these unfortunate men, whose fate is unknown, will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to relieve that anxiety in any way that may occur to him?
§ Mr. BrackenCertainly.