§ 35. Sir L. Ropnerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the number of British prisoners of war captured in the war in Korea and still held by the enemy.
§ Mr. BirchThirty-nine officers and 909 ratings or other ranks have been reported as prisoners of war in Korea. In addition, three officers and 36 other ranks are reported as missing, believed prisoners of war.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the hon. Gentleman say when the Government propose to make a further detailed statement on the war in Korea, and why should we in this House have to rely for our information on what is happening in Korea, particularly to our own Forces, on what appears in the American Press?
§ Mr. BirchNaturally my noble Friend is anxious to consult the convenience of the House in this matter, but he made a long statement not long ago. During this period of stalemate it is rather difficult to make a statement which differs in any material degree from the previous statement, but if there is any desire for a further statement it can be made.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that a report appeared in one of the American newspapers sent to hon. Members of this House to the effect that the Commonwealth Division was being taken out of the line completely for a period of rest? Is that not information that ought to be conveyed to this House and not in an indirect way? Does not the question I am now putting directly arise out of the question of what is happening to the prisoners of war in Korea?
§ Mr. SpeakerCaptain Duncan.
§ Mr. NicholsonThose last two supplementary questions had nothing to do with the Question at all. May I ask about British prisoners of war, the subject of the Question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe supplementary questions were relevant, and we must get on I am afraid it is frequently my painful duty to prevent hon. Members asking supplementary questions, otherwise there would not be a chance for the hon. Members who follow. Hon. Members must take it with patience. It is as painful to me as it is to them.