§ 28. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War how many tons of parcels for prisoners of war 2194 are at present stored at Vladivostok; and whether any arrangement has been made, or is in prospect, for the delivery of these parcels to British prisoners in Japanese hands.
§ Sir J. GriggNo addition has been made to Red Cross supplies at Vladivostok since my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 13th June. We are now waiting for the Japanese to send a ship to a Soviet port, on conditions already agreed with them, to pick up these supplies and carry them to Japan for distribution from there to prisoners of war and civilian internees.
§ Sir A. KnoxCan the right hon. Gentleman give any date when he thinks this will be carried out?
§ Sir J. GriggI have seen a Press report quoting a statement on behalf of the official Japanese authorities saying that they were making arrangements, but I do not think it would be safe to assume that the event will necessarily follow.
§ Mr. G. NicholsonCan my right hon. Friend assure the House that statements about the situation in regard to prisoners of war in Japanese hands are made as often as possible, even if they do not say very much, in order to comfort relatives?
§ Sir J. GriggMy recollection is that I make such statements in this House pretty often.
§ Mr. NicholsonI do not think replies in this House are enough.
§ 68. Mr. Hewlettasked the Secretary of State for War how many camps for prisoners of war in Japanese hands have been reported on in detail by the Protecting Power; and from how many such camps the inmates can send letters or cards to friends or relatives.
§ Sir J. GriggThirty-one camps and one hospital containing British prisoners of war in Japanese hands have been visited and reported on in some detail by the representatives of the Protecting Power. Three of these camps have been visited more than once. In addition 43 such camps and hospitals have been visited and reported on by the International Red Cross Committee. All these camps lie in the Northern area, that is, in Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Formosa, Shanghai or Hong Kong. Prisoners of war in all the visited camps are permitted to send home a strictly limited amount of mail.