HC Deb 22 February 1949 vol 461 cc1688-90
61. Colonel Hutchison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the railway between Siam and Burma built by the Japanese with Allied prisoner of war labour has been treated by the Allied Governments in their post-war arrangements with these countries.

Sir S. Cripps

The railway was treated as a Japanese external asset. The part which lies in Siam was sold to Siam for £1,250,000; in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to my hon.

Friend, the Member for Kelvingrove (Mr. J. Williams), on 20th November, 1947. Nothing would have been gained by any payment from Burma in respect of her share of the railway, as, under the Financial Settlement in 1947, His Majesty's Government agreed to waive their claims to repayment of a large part of Burma's debt to this country.

Colonel Hutchison

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that letters have been received in this country from Australian ex-Service men employed on this work while prisoners who claim that they have had a bonus or a payment or a shareout from their Government as a result of the sale of this railway? Will he investigate that, and will he say whether it is true, and if it is not true, will he categorically deny it, because it is causing considerable jealousy and discontent among ex-prisoners in this country?

Sir S. Cripps

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me the documents to which he refers, I will have them looked into.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Burmese Government are in default in respect of several sorts of obligation towards this country, notably towards members of the Burmese Defence Force who lost their goods in the course of the last war? Will he set off against that some of these hypothetical receipts and accept those obligations on behalf of His Majesty's Government?

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid that has nothing to do with this Question.

Colonel Hutchison

While I will try to send the right hon. and learned Gentleman the documents—they are private letters—will he not say here and now whether there is any truth in this point? He must know whether the Australians have had a share-out?

Sir S. Cripps

It is not for me to give evidence here as to actions by the Australian Government with regard to Australian pensioners. Whether they have made payments or not, I am quite unable to say, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me know what it is alleged has been paid, I will inquire into it.

Mr. Stanley

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman clear this up? Did the Australian Government have any part of this £1,250,000 which the right hon. and learned Gentleman said was paid by Siam for this railway?

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir. As far as I am aware they did not have any of it.