HC Deb 27 February 1952 vol 496 c1140
43. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made towards a settlement of the amount to be paid to former Far Eastern prisoners of war, or to their dependants.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 20th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott). It is not possible to give a more exact estimate of value of these assets than has already been given to the House, namely about £5 million.

Mr. Thomas

Can the Minister give us an idea when the settlement is likely to be reached? Do we understand from the previous answer that it will be when the Treaty has been ratified by all concerned?

Mr. Nutting

That is perfectly correct. When the Treaty is in force, we can lay our hands on those assets, under Article 14 in this country and under Article 16 in neutral and ex-enemy countries.