HC Deb 26 April 1949 vol 464 c5
5. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War why Heinz Muhlmeyer, a German Signal Corps officer, has received no prisoner-of-war pay for the period he was in British custody, namely, 15th July, 1945, to 4th July, 1946, in spite of the fact that he was given prisoner-of-war status and eventually discharged from Prisoner-of-war Discharge Centre No. 2.

Mr. M. Stewart

I am inquiring into the facts of this case; but owing to the dispersal of various prisoners-of-war records the inquiries are inevitably taking some considerable time. I will, however, write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Stokes

But is my hon. Friend aware that this is not a unique case, and is there any administrative reason why these matters should take so long?

Mr. Stewart

The administrative reason is the one I have already given to my hon. Friend, the dispersal of the records some time ago, but I hope to give him an answer on this case before long.

Mr. Stokes

That is just my point. If the matter had been dealt with promptly, the records would not have been dispersed.