HL Deb 24 January 1951 vol 169 c1101

2.39 p.m.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords. I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government—

  1. (a) Whether any information has been obtained as to the composition and procedure of North Korean military courts for the trial of any British or Commonwealth members of the Armed Forces who may become prisoners of war, and subsequently be charged by the North Korean authorities with "war crimes";
  2. (b) Whether they are fully satisfied that such trials, or those of any other Communist courts, will be conducted "sensibly" and with a due regard for justice.]

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, neither His Majesty's Government nor the Unified Command have any information that any such courts are being set up.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

I thank the noble Lord for that answer. I would remind him of a quotation— namely, "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." If you do not know what is going on you will not have pricks of conscience in regard to having swept away the one protection our men had if brought before a court conducted by hooligans.