48. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Defence the latest figures of British casualties in Korea.
§ Mr. StracheyThe total British casualties sustained in the Korean operations up to midnight, 20th January, were 139 killed or died of wounds, 416 wounded and 258 missing. I am sure the House would wish to join with me in expressing the deep sympathy we all feel for the relatives of these men. I will, with permission, circulate a detailed state-ment in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Air Commodore HarveyThe right hon. Gentleman has said nothing about British prisoners of war. I assume that he has not received the information. Will he tell the House what representations he has made to get information on this very important subject?
§ Mr. StracheyThe missing, of course, includes the prisoners-of-war figure. Unfortunately, we do not know any more details than that. As I told the House yesterday, we have very little information and very great difficulties in getting information from the North Korean authorities.
§ Mr. KeelingDoes that mean that the Minister has no information that any single one of the missing are prisoners of war?
§ Mr. StracheyI should want notice of that, but we have very little.
§ Captain RyderHas our Chargé d' Affaires in Peking been directed to take this matter up on the spot?
§ Mr. StracheyI understand that the position is that the only authorities who will make any statement are the North Korean authorities, and they have stated that they are abiding by the Geneva Convention.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the United Nations Forces are supplying the North Korean authorities with lists of prisoners captured by the South Koreans or the United Nations Forces?
§ Mr. StracheyI understand that that is being done.
§ Sir Ralph GlynCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures he has 136 been given include British volunteers for Red Cross stretcher work, who have been captured during these operations?
§ Mr. StracheyI should like notice of that.
§ Mr. NicholsonHas the Government been in communication with the International Red Cross authorities asking them to set up an organisation in that part of the world to trace prisoners?
§ Mr. StracheyThe North Korean authorities have been pressed to allow the Red Cross representatives access to prisoners of war, but without success.
§ Mr. NicholsonPressed by whom?
§ Mr. StracheyBy the United Nations authorities.
§ Following is the statement:
| — | Navy | Army | ||
| Officers | Ratings and Other Ranks | Officers | Other Ranks | |
| Killed | 1 | 17 | 10 | 84 |
| Died of Wounds | — | 1 | 1 | 25 |
| Wounded | 4 | 46 | 26 | 340 |
| Missing | 1 | 26 | 14 | 217 |
| ROYAL AIR FORCE—Nil |