HC Deb 01 March 1944 vol 397 c1434W
Mr. Hammersley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information regarding the supply of food and medical stores to internees and prisoners of war in the hands of the Japanese.

Mr. Eden

As regards food, the rations issued by the Japanese to prisoners of war and internees are generally as described in earlier replies given to similar questions, and I am unable to report any improvement in this respect. Extra food, medicines and other necessities have been, and are being, delivered to prisoners of war in Siam with funds made available to the neutral representatives, but the quantities and variety of goods obtainable locally are very limited. Similar arrangements have been made for the benefit of internees wherever practicable; I will gladly, if my hon. Friend desires, give him the full details respecting particular camps. I must, however, remind by hon. Friend that there are many areas in Japanese occupation about which His Majesty's Government have no information owing to the refusal of the Japanese Government to allow representatives of the Protecting Power or the International Red Cross Committee to visit camps there.