§ 54. Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for Air what action has been taken to obtain information regarding Royal Air Force personnel who were in Java and Sumatra when these places were occupied by the enemy?
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)All possible steps are being taken 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, about R.A.F. officers and men who were in Java and Sumatra when these Islands were captured. Up to now, however, no information has been obtained through these channels. In addition, personnel from Java and Sumatra who have reached this country have been interviewed and reports are being obtained from those who got away to other countries. Any reliable information so obtained is at once communicated to the next-of-kin of the officers or airmen concerned.