§ 59. Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the Japanese assets under Article 16 of the Japanese Peace Treaty; if he will state the total amount likely to be available for British Far-Eastern prisoners of war; and when the per capita distribution of such assets is likely to be made.
§ Mr. TurtonA sum of approximately £5½ million representing the value of Japanese assets in neutral and ex-enemy countries has been handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. The Committee will distribute these funds in accordance with Article 16 of the Peace Treaty to appropriate national agencies for the benefit of former prisoners of war and their families. The International Committee is at present checking the lists of prisoners of war. As soon as this has been completed, the8W United Kingdom share, which may be in the neighbourhood of £1¼ million, will be handed over to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance for distribution. It is hoped that a per capita distribution will be possible in April, 1956.