HC Deb 12 May 1952 vol 500 cc843-4
21. Colonel J. H. Harrison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the sum per head each British ex-prisoner of war will get under the Japanese Peace Treaty.

Mr. Nutting

The fund, which will eventually become available under Article 16 of the Japanese Peace Treaty for indemnifying Allied ex-prisoners of war, and which is estimated at about £5 million, will be distributed by the International Red Cross.

As regards Article 14 about £1¼million will be available in the United Kingdom. I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement made by the ex-Foreign Secretary on 25th July last.

Colonel Harrison

Will my hon. Friend give careful consideration to altering the statement made by the previous Foreign Minister so that the funds under Article 14 are only for those who were prisoners in the Japanese theatre of war and not in all theatres of war, because I believe that this is probably the wish of the majority of the people in this country? As these men have waited a very long time, I hope that we shall soon be able to give them that assurance.

Mr. Nutting

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question.