HC Deb 17 November 1942 vol 385 cc230-1W
Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to why the 200 odd British in Bangkok failed to leave before the Japanese arrived whereas all the Americans managed to leave; and whether the British and American Ministers received simultaneous warning as to the imminence of the arrival of the enemy?

Mr. Law

My hon. Friend's Question is based on a misapprehension since it is not a fact that all United States nationals were able to leave Siam before the Japanese invasion. Many of, them remained and were interned at the same time as British subjects. Advice to leave was given to British women and children in February, 1941, and was repeated to all, including men, on the 3rd December. As regards the second part of the Question, the British and United States representatives were in close consultation and both were kept as fully informed as possible of the developments in the situation.