HC Deb 14 July 1942 vol 381 cc1059-60
20. Mr. Granville

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any fresh information to give with regard to the names or numbers of British troops captured in the Malayan campaign?

Sir J. Grigg

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 24th June, we have received some lists of names of United Kingdom Service and civilian personnel captured at Hong Kong. These lists continue to come in, and the number of names notified to this country up to the present date is about 2,500. I have no further information about the full list in respect of Malaya, which the Japanese are expected to send by the first exchange ship.

Mr. Granville

According to the Press a ship is expected to arrive shortly in this country. Can the Minister confirm or deny that, and will he take steps to make available whatever information he may have through the local branches of the Red Cross and W.V.S. organisations so that they can pass it on to relatives and dependants?

Sir J. Grigg

With regard to the second part of the Question, I have already done that. In regard to the first part of the Question, I cannot give an answer without notice.