§ Captain Gammansasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make any statement as to how many British prisoners of war in Malaya have been removed to Japan; and whether he has any information regarding the general treatment of prisoners of war by the Japanese?
§ Mr. Gledhillasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make as to the position of British prisoners of war in Japanese hands?
§ Mr. A. HendersonOfficial notification of transfer to Japan has been received in respect of less than 600 of the 16,300 prisoners of war of the United Kingdom and Australia who have been notified as being interned in Malaya. The total number of British prisoners of war now in Japan is believed to be about 7–8,000 and this includes a substantial number of men captured in Java and Hong Kong. His Majesty's Governments have also made inquiries regarding the broadcast report that prisoners of war were being transferred in large numbers from Borneo and Malaya to Japan. A reply has now been received stating that the report was grossly exaggerated and that there is no indication at present that further transfers are contemplated. As regards treatment, information remains incomplete owing to the continued refusal by the Japanese Government to permit visits to camps in those occupied territories in which the bulk of our prisoners of war are detained. As has been previously stated this refusal constitutes a flagrant breach of the provision of International Law and of the Prisoners of War Convention with which the Japanese Government agreed to comply.
§ Sir A. Pownallasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to British prisoners of war having escaped from Italy into Switzerland; and whether any names have yet been received from the Swiss Government?
§ Mr. HendersonThe reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's244W Question was given yesterday by my right hon. Friend. A few names have so far been received and the next-of-kin have been informed.