HC Deb 22 May 1950 vol 475 cc1643-4
49. Captain Ryder

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that British subjects living in Burma are suffering hardship and inconvenience through failure to obtain war damage compensation arising from the Japanese war; and what steps he is taking to help these people.

Mr. Younger

Yes, Sir, but, as announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in the House of Commons on 27th June, 1949, His Majesty's Government have set up a scheme for limited ex gratia payments, in respect of war damage to private chattels in Burma to United Kingdom British subjects who have either returned to live in the United Kingdom or propose at some future date to do so. In the latter case, payment will be made when they return.

Captain Ryder

Is it not a fact that these payments are only being made to the people who actually leave Burma, and that those who remain behind are, in many cases, suffering acute hardship? Could the hon. Gentleman look into that matter, to see if something could be done to help them?

Mr. Younger

This is a very difficult problem. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom cannot admit liability for payments of this kind. They have made ex gratia payments in the cases to which I referred, but for people who have not returned, and are not intending to return, the liability must rest with the Government of the area.

Mr. Anthony Nutting

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to hold the Burma Prime Minister to the pledge he gave, as reported in the "Observer" yesterday—which, no doubt, he has read—that the Burma Government would give a square deal to British residents and investors?

Mr. Younger

I will look into that, but I am not aware of the passage to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Prime Minister of Burma who, I think, is sympathetic in this, to the scheme in operation in Malaya, so that sacrifices made by residents in Burma equal to those made in Malaya, can be dealt with in the same way?

Mr. Younger

I will look into that.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will this ex gratia payment be made in the case of an officer seconded to the Burma Service, or will he have to wait until he gets to England?

Mr. Younger

If the hon. Gentleman wants to deal with details of a particular case perhaps he will let me know. The last sentence of my reply stated that for someone proposing at a future date to return payment would be made on his return. I do not know whether that refers to the rather particular and complicated case referred to by the hon. Member.