Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the trial of Japanese war criminals; and whether he will take steps to see that these trials are held at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. LawsonInstructions have been issued to Commanders overseas to apprehend and detain in custody all Japanese who are suspected of war crimes. Steps are being taken to obtain statements from all British Commonwealth prisoners of war released from Japanese hands, in order to obtain evidence and permit the preparation of cases for trial. Information similarly obtained from civilian internees or any other source will be utilised. Although the identification of criminals and the collation of evidence is a formidable task, it is the intention that trials should be started at the earliest possible date.