HC Deb 05 March 1951 vol 485 cc29-30
51. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what duties the British Red Cross are performing in Korea.

Mr. Younger

The British Red Cross Society's welfare team was due to leave Japan on 1st March for Korea where it will assist under the Unified Command in welfare and public health work among the local inhabitants. In addition, British Red Cross and St. John naval V.A.D.s are employed on a hospital ship in Korean waters and the Society have made grants to the International Red Cross Committee for relief work in Korea. British Red Cross and St. John personnel and stores are being used to help Service casualties in hospitals in Japan.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Would my hon. Friend tell us something about the ban which General MacArthur placed on the Red Cross? Why was this ban placed on the Red Cross? Is it not an example of extraordinary inhumanity, seeing that the work of the Red Cross has been very effective?

Mr. Younger

I am glad to say that the difficulties which arose about the emblems which should be worn by Red Cross personnel have been solved.