§ Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the plight of civilians, particularly small business men, returned from Hong Kong who have lost everything they possessed as a result of the Pacific war; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take any measures for their 758W Relief and well-being other than the grant of public assistance after a means test;
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the disparity of treatment between civil servants returning from Hong Kong and British subjects formerly resident in the colony who have been repatriated, who have lost everything they possessed, accumulated in some cases over more than 30 years; and whether it is proposed to take any measures to alleviate their plight.
§ Mr. George HallWith the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will answer his two Questions together. As regards the treatment accorded to Government officials returning from internment in the Far East, the Government has a special responsibility as their employer, and the treatment accorded to them will it is hoped be followed generally by other employers whose employees have been released from captivity. In the case of non-officials I would refer to the statement made in the House of Commons on the 20th January, 1942, by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in which he stated that it would not be possible to treat such persons more favourably than those British subjects who had lost their livelihood in this country owing to the action of the enemy or to other circumstances directly caused by the war. As to the arrangements which have been made to alleviate the plight of such persons, I would refer to my replies to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. E. P. Smith) on 31st October, and 14th November, copies of which I am sending him.