HC Deb 15 October 1952 vol 505 cc191-2
41. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will obtain particulars from the United Nations' Command and make a statement on the circumstances in which a large number of Chinese or North Korean prisoners-of-war were killed in recent incidents in United Nations' prison camps; what steps have been taken in recent months generally to improve discipline and administration in these camps; how far British troops are now taking part in prison guard duties; and in which camps.

Mr. Eden

One prisoner-of-war was killed when United States troops were forced to restore order in Enclosure No. 10 at Koje on 23rd August last. On 1st October a more serious incident occurred in Compound No. 7 of United Nations' Command prisoner-of-war Camp No. 3A on Cheju Island. I understand that the prisoners in this compound have all elected to be repatriated.

The incident began when Chinese prisoners staged a prepared demonstration. The prisoners refused to obey the Camp Commander's order, given by loudspeaker, that, if the demonstration were not stopped, force would have to be used. When two platoons of United States infantry entered the compound to restore order, the prisoners attacked them with stones and improvised weapons. Order was quickly restored, but not before 56 prisoners had been killed and 91 injured, and 11 of the American guards injured. Only American troops were involved in the incident.

Major-General T. W. Herren, Commanding-General, Korean Communications Zone, and an investigating body of officers were at once flown to the island to make an investigation. Their report is not yet available.

In recent months the United Nations' Command have re-organised prisoners-of-war into smaller compounds. Discipline generally throughout the camps has been improved.

British troops have not been taking part in prison guard duties in any prisoner-of-war camp in Korea since 10th July.

Mr. Driberg

Is it not the case that discipline was good under Brigadier-General Boatner, who always allowed prisoners to celebrate their own national festivals, and so on, but that he was replaced by an inexperienced commander who gave the order that this day should not be celebrated; and is not the killing of 56 prisoners in a quarter of an hour a rather disproportionate use of force in retaliation for an attack by stone-throwing?

Mr. Eden

I think it is very difficult for this House to judge a matter of this kind, or what happened when the guards entered the camp, or what the state of the opposition was. An inquiry has been called for by the Americans concerned, and I think in fairness to our ally, we ought at least to await the outcome of the report, and not suppose that they must inevitably be in the wrong.

Mr. S. Silverman

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that 1st October, the day on which the prisoners wished to demonstrate, was the Chinese national day; and does he know of anything in international law which would have justified the Nazis during the late war in shooting down prisoners who wanted to sing "God Save The King" on Empire Day?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Gentleman's parallel is an ingenious one, but I really think that until we have the report we are not in a position to judge precisely what happened. Had there been British troops concerned in this our position to demand a report would, of course, have been immediate and strong, but as things now are I think that we should await the report and not pass judgment on hearsay.