§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for War what amounts are deducted from the pay of officer prisoners of war held by the Japanese, both in respect of 65W food and cash advances; what charges were made for food and accommodation; and if, in view of the fact that these charges will not be paid to Japan, they will now be remitted.
Mr. Norman Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether the full rate of pay of equivalent Japanese officer ranks is to be deducted from the pay of British officers imprisoned by the Japanese, or will the deductions take into account the actual payments made by the Japanese to these officers, the quality and quantity of food and clothing in fact supplied, the disbursements made by these officers voluntarily to hospitals with a view to alleviating the sufferings of other ranks and the monetary equivalent of the labour performed compulsorily by them in violation of International Law.
§ Mr. LawsonHon. Members will no doubt have seen the announcement issued last week that all deductions which have been made from the pay of officer prisoners of war in the Far East in respect of pay issuable to them by the Japanese under the Geneva Conventions should be cancelled, and that the amounts deducted will be refunded to each officer shortly after his repatriation is completed.
§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for War how many persons have been blinded or are suffering from visual defects as a result of malnutrition or from other causes in prisoner of war camps in the Far East.
§ Mr. LawsonWe have not yet received detailed statistics relating to the disabilities incurred by prisoners of war who have now been freed in the Far East. The information required by the hon. and gallant Member has been applied for, however, and I will write to him as soon as it is received.