HC Deb 06 March 1951 vol 485 cc211-5
7. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for periodic reliefs of British Forces in Korea.

Mr. Strachey

National Service men in Korea are relieved in time for their release to be carried out in the United Kingdom on their due date. Reservists and Regular soldiers retained after the expiry of their period of Colour service will be released in accordance with the arrangements announced by the Prime Minister on 29th January, 1951. Other Regular soldiers are subject to the normal overseas tour rules, save where there are medical or compassionate reasons for earlier relief.

Mr. Watkinson

As it appears that we shall have forces in Korea now for perhaps a long time, could not the Secretary of State be a little bit more explicit with regard to the Regular Forces? Will the men do their full tour of overseas duty in Korea, or will there be any chance of a shorter period? Is it to be accepted that they will do their full time in the fighting line in Korea?

Mr. Strachey

I should not like to commit myself on that. At the moment it is subject to the normal tour of overseas service, but I would not necessarily commit us to that rule for the future.

Sir Ralph Glyn

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the instructions in regard to the release of reservists are made available for hon. Members to send to people who apply to us to know what the position is, because we are getting large numbers of letters from the relatives of the men, who want to know when they can return?

Mr. Strachey

I have to answer another Question on that subject later today.

Brigadier Thorp

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers completed their foreign service—more than 30 years of it —last year, and are now back in full service in Korea? Will he make a statement about that?

Mr. Strachey

That is a question about the release of units as a whole and not of individual men.

Mr. Watkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the matter again in the light, perhaps, of future circumstances?

Mr. Strachey

If it becomes clear that troops will be in Korea for a long period, then arrangements will have to be made.

19. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements for a Parliamentary delegation to visit the British and United Nations Forces in Korea.

Mr. Strachey

I have given careful consideration to this matter, but I do not feel able to accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there has been a great deal of information and misinformation about what is going on with regard to our troops in Korea, and would not such a delegation give an opportunity for Members of this House to get to know what the position is?

Mr. Strachey

We have to consider that there is a unified command in Korea and the fact that delegations from many national Parliaments might wish to go there.

Mr. Snow

Is there any evidence that if such a Parliamentary delegation were set up, General MacArthur would be prepared to receive it?

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement the other day that he was hoping to be able to go to Korea, will he at least take one Member from this side of the House with him?

Mr. Strachey

If I do go, a Member from that side may be very useful.

20. Mr. Martin Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Military Cross was awarded to Lieut. C. Lawrence for gallantry in Korea on 22nd September, 1950.

Mr. Strachey

This award was published in the London Gazette on 16th February, 1951.

Mr. Lindsay

Can the Secretary of State for War explain why it took five months for this recommendation to be considered and a decision taken?

Mr. Strachey

We received it on 19th January from the Commander-in-Chief, Far Eastern Land Forces. I am not aware what was the cause of the intermediate delay.

Mr. Lindsay

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question why there is always this delay of four or five months before awards are made?

26. Brigadier Thorp

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement about the release of reservists now serving in Korea.

Mr. Strachey

Reservists will start leaving Korea next September.

Brigadier Thorp

Does that mean that everyone who has been called up specially from the Reserves for Korea will start leaving next September?

Mr. Strachey

They will start leaving next September, but we cannot, of course, take all the reservists out of the units in one month, as some units have a very high proportion. That is why I said that they will start leaving next September.

30. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the importance of tea to soldiers on active service, if he will ensure that it is made available at 3s. a pound to men fighting in Korea.

Mr. Strachey

The ration which troops in Korea are at present receiving is enough to provide about five pints of tea a day for each soldier. In these circumstances, it seems difficult to ask N.A.A.F.I. to sell extra tea at a heavy loss in Korea, which would be the effect of the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Brigadier Clarke

Does not the Minister appreciate that a soldier must have tea to fight on, that he pays his taxes the same as anyone else and that he should have his tea subsidised so that he can fight?

Mr. Strachey

He receives free over double the present civilian ration, so we are here talking about extra tea. It is difficult to pick out this item and ask N.A.A.F.I. to accept a heavy loss on it.

Mr. James Hudson

Is it not something of an improvement that at least we have reached the position that it is better to use tea than other drinks for these purposes?

Brigadier Head

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as tea and other commodities are concerned, N.A.A.F.I. prices are fixed on Hong Kong prices, whereas those serving in Korea are not getting the Hong Kong allowances but a lower rate? Cannot he balance their allowances with the Hong Kong allowances?

Mr. Strachey

That is another question, but I think that there is a case there which we can certainly examine.

40. Mrs. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has any further information about the case of Private McHardy, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was killed in Korea in October, 1950. and whose mother is still awaiting news about his personal effects.

Mr. Strachey

I regret that no further information is yet available concerning the personal effects of Private McHardy. The military authorities in Korea have been asked by cable to report on the position and the relatives will be informed as soon as any information is received.

Mrs. Hill

Is the Secretary of State aware of the grave anxiety and worry it has caused the parents of this boy not to receive any intimation about the boy's effects, even after writing to the War Office on 31st December and not getting a reply till 23rd January: and will he try to expedite this matter?

Mr. Strachey

We have cabled urgently to the Far East.