HC Deb 21 January 1947 vol 432 cc30-1
51. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the delay of a year in the negotiations between the Service Departments and the Treasury over the settlement of claims by service personnel, or their relatives for repayment of sums expended by prisoners in enemy prison camps during the war on escapist activities, he will issue an instruction that these claims be settled forthwith.

The Prime Minister

I understand that the hon. and gallant Member may have particularly in mind the repayment of sums expended by prisoners of war at Stalag Luft III. These sums were taken from a communal fund, and were used by the prisoners to promote attempts to escape from the hands of the enemy. I understand from my right non Friend the Secretary of State for Air that a decision on the total amount to be refunded in this case was reached in October last. My right hon. Friend informs me that, since the records are naturally scanty, it is taking some time to decide how much to refund to each claimant, and he is in correspondence with members of the committee which administered the communal fund at Stalag Luft III. My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement in the near future.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Is the Prime Minister aware—he is correct in assuming that that is the name in one case—that there are a great many others and that the Government at the moment have something in the neighbourhood of £500,000, constituting the deductions to be made from Servicemen out of these communal funds? Cannot he give a categorical assurance that the sums will be repayable to Service personnel from whom they were deducted for escapist activities?

The Prime Minister

A general assessment of the sums due has been made. It is now a question of distribution, and when that has been arrived at a statement will be made publicly.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when the statement will be made, since the matter has been under discussion for at least two years and even His Majesty's' Government should be able to arrive at a decision in that time?

The Prime Minister

It is a matter of some difficulty to find out, when there are a number of prisoners and prison camps, what a particular contribution is, and the records are not there.