§ 18. Sir David Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British and Commonwealth former prisoners of war are now estimated to be resident in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MulleySuch statistics are not available from Ministry of Defence records.
§ Sir D. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman keeping any check on the fact that many former prisoners of war find that as they get older their health and strength suffer because of their privations during the time they were in captivity? Will he undertake to keep an eye on this matter, and perhaps report to the House on what might be done to help such people?
§ Mr. MulleyI have a great deal of sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's comments, not least because I was a prisoner of war. Contrary to what was generally thought, I felt in military terms that my number was up at Finningley last July. I have a number of friends who were prisoners of war and who have undergone a good deal of suffering. It is a matter primarily for the DHSS. There is the problem of tracing whether illnesses are related directly to military service. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman will send me further details, I shall do what I can to help.