HC Deb 02 July 1952 vol 503 c29W
10. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the extent of relief and rehabilitation now in operation in Korea; and what arrangements have been made by the United Nations in respect of assistance to prisoners of war when released from Koje Island.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

In answer to the first part of his Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North on 25th June (Mr. Hector Hughes).

As regards the second part of the Question, the problem of assistance to prisoners of war after their release from the prisoners-of-war camps is one which will arise after the conclusion of an armistice. The House will understand that any publicity given now to arrangements for such assistance might have an undesirable effect in influencing Communist prisoners of war to opt against repatriation without good reason. Indeed, the United Nations authorities have made it clear to all prisoners on Koje Island that they cannot undertake to feed and house them for any length of time after release or promise to send them to any given place.