HC Deb 29 November 1950 vol 481 cc1136-7
22. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now ascertained how many North Korean prisoners are in the hands of the United Nations Forces, up to the latest convenient date; and how many of these prisoners have been proved to have direct Communist affiliations.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I understand that up to the 11th November some 140,000 prisoners had been taken by United Nations Forces in Korea.

Mr. Hamilton

I did not hear the most important part of the answer, concerning the number who have been proved to have direct Communist affiliations.

Mr. Davies

The reason why my hon. Friend did not hear it was because I did not give it. That information is not yet known, because the prisoners are being screened and this will take a considerable time. We have no information as yet of how many of them have Communist affiliations.

Mr. Hamilton

Can my hon. Friend say when this information will be available?

Mr. Davies

I am sorry, I cannot.

Mr. Driberg

Are all these people strictly prisoners of war, or are civilian Communist suspects included also, and are they to any extent within the responsibility of the International Red Cross?

Mr. Davies

These are entirely prisoners of war.

Mr. Driberg

May I have an answer to the second part of my Question, regarding the International Red Cross?