HC Deb 09 July 1952 vol 503 cc1282-3
2. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further approaches he has made to the Soviet, Chinese and North Korean authorities, with a view to establishing regular communication with British prisoners of war in Communist hands in the Far East and securing for them normal rights and privileges.

The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

The position remains as stated in the first part of my reply to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 26th May. The Soviet and Chinese authorities decline to intervene in matters which they say fall within the province of the North Koreans. The only liaison with the North Korean authorities is by way of the armistice negotiators.

Mr. Maclean

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the denial to our prisoners of all normal facilities is causing widespread concern in this country?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, I am aware of that, and the only good news which I can give to my hon. Friend is that I think there has been some improvement in the delivery of letters lately. I think rather more letters have been getting through.

Mr. Snow

Have the Government received any offer from the Government of India to act as intermediary, and, if not, would the Government consider approaching the Government of India so to act? Thirdly, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that when this House last debated Korea there was some concern in many quarters that no mention was made of the previous offer by the Government of India to act?

Mr. Lloyd

This Question deals with communications with British prisoners of war. I have no reason to believe that mediation by any neutral power would be of the slightest value. For example, we have the International Red Cross, and in this regard they have so far been quite useless.

Mr. Shinwell

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman any information which indicates that relatives of any of our men who are prisoners of war in Korea are receiving letters from the men?

Mr. Lloyd

I am afraid I have not that information with [...] now, but I will try to let the right hon. Gentleman know.

Major Beamish

Could the Minister of State say whether the Dean of Canterbury had any time off from picking up bugs with chopsticks to inquire into the position of British prisoners of war?

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