HC Deb 23 July 1956 vol 557 cc5-7
8. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he can now make a statement as to the reasons for the delay in making a further payment to Far Eastern prisoners of war from the Japanese assets.

10. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is aware of the disappointment of ex-prisoners of the Japanese and their next of kin at the long delay that has occurred in the distribution on a per capita basis of the money available under Article 16 of the Japanese Peace Treaty; when the British claim was submitted to the International Red Cross; when it was agreed; and on what basis he hopes to make this further distribution.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I share my hon. Friends' concern about this delay. As my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary told my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Norwood (Sir J. Smyth) on 15th June, the Peace Treaty provided that the International Committee of the Red Cross should distribute the money to the countries concerned. I understand that that Committee has had some difficulty—which is understandable—in checking the lists put in by certain countries, and that we are unlikely to receive the money due to us for several months. We will distribute the money as quickly as possible when wet get it.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary is drawing the attention of the International Committee to our desire to seek a speedy conclusion of this matter.

Sir I. Fraser

Is it, therefore, clear that the delay is due not to the Ministry but to international affairs? Will my right hon. Friend ask his right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary to bring pressure to bear upon the International Red Cross so that if there are countries which cannot make up their minds who were ex-Service men and who were not, they may be urged to make a settlement, because thousands of men are waiting for the money?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My hon. Friend is quite right inasmuch as we have not yet received the money and, therefore, cannot distribute it. As regards the last part of his supplementary question, the phrase I used was that, "My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary is drawing the attention of the International Committee to our desire.…" That is possibly a more decorous way to phrase it.

Major Beamish

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable disappointment at the delays which have occurred in the distribution of the money under Article 16, but that this is tempered to a large extent by the fact that the sums, when paid, will be substanial? Is my right hon. Friend aware of the widespread feeling that the Government have done their very best in this problem and have shown considerable understanding?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I share my hon. and gallant Friend's disappointment that we have not yet been able to get this money. Certainly, as soon as we get it we will distribute it. It has been overdue for some time.

Mr. Marquand

Have the Government not considered the possibility of themselves making payments in advance? Why should not the Government take up this balance, since the delay is not due in any way to the pensioners themselves?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The understanding was that it was to be these Japanese assets which were used for this particular and specific purpose relating solely to Far East prisoners of war. Until the International Committee has finished its work, we shall not know precisely how much we are to get.

9. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the total amount distributed on a per capita basis to ex-prisoners of the Japanese or their next of kin under Article 14 of the Japanese Peace Treaty; what sums were given to charitable organisations to give extra help to the most deserving cases; how much of the Article 14 money remains available for distribution; and on what basis, and when, he hopes to distribute this small sum.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

A total of about £2,645,000 has been distributed on a per capita basis in respect of ex-prisoners of war and civilian internees of the Japanese. In addition, £27,000 has been divided between the King's Fund, the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Central Welfare Fund, and the Returned British Prisoners of War Association. A sum of about £200,000 remains. Arrangements for its distribution have so far awaited further information as to when we are likely to receive the money due to us under Article 16.