3. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to publish the names he has received of the prisoners in Japanese hands at Singapore?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)The names are in course of publication.
Dr. ThomasMay I ask my right hon. Friend why there has been such delay, because there is a tense anxiety among the relatives of these unfortunate men whose fate is so uncertain?
§ Sir J. GriggI do not think there has been any avoidable delay.
§ Sir J. GriggI think it is a wrong impression, if I may say so. There has been no avoidable delay in the publication of the lists once they have been received. There was enormous delay before we received lists, and even now they are extremely partial; in fact, "partial" is an exaggeration.
§ Sir Hugh O'NeillWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the names are to be published, can he say what proportion they are of the total number of prisoners?
§ Sir J. GriggI could not say that without notice, but I will communicate with my right hon. Friend and tell him. It is a small proportion.