§ 37. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give to British ex-Japanese prisoners-of-war who have emigrated from Britain their share of the money which Japan has now given to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
§ Mr. TurtonFormer prisoners-of-war of the Japanese who have emigrated are entitled to benefit under Article 16 of the Peace Treaty with Japan in the same way as other prisoners-of-war, and their names have been forwarded to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
§ Miss HerbisonCan the Minister tell me if this is a change? He may remember one particular case which I took up with his office. The man was a Scotsman who had emigrated to Australia, and he was told he could not get compensation because he had emigrated.
§ Mr. TurtonThis is not a change; this comes under Article 16. If the hon. Lady will give me the details of the case she has in mind, I will look it up, because it may come under a different Article.
§ Mr. RoyleIn view of the Foreign Secretary's statement last week, will the hon. Gentleman say whether widows and dependants of prisoners who were in Japanese hands will benefit by the recent announcement?
§ Mr. TurtonThe method and manner of distribution will depend upon the International Committee of the Red Cross, and until they have made a pronouncement it would be unwise for me to say anything.