HC Deb 24 May 1972 vol 837 cc401-2W
Sir H. Harrison

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the outcome of the discussions which were arranged with representatives of the National Federation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War Clubs and Associations.

Mr. Dean

I met a deputation from the federation, consisting of the executive president and the chairman and members of their National Sub-Committee on FEPOW Health, on 8th May, in order to discuss the matters about which they have expressed concern.

As an immediate step to ensure that claims for war pensions from former Far Eastern prisoners of war and their widows always have their particular problems fully taken into account, within the terms of the Royal Warrant, a special FEPOW Unit is to be set up at Blackpool Central Office where all war pension claims are processed. Under this new arrangement there will be nominated doctors experienced in tropical diseases and lay officials, to whom all FEPOW claims will be referred. Thus these claims will be handled by personnel specialising in this work and particularly aware of the problems which arise in connection with pension claims from this particular group of ex-Servicemen. In cases of doubt the unit will have instructions to refer the papers to my senior officials in London, respectively the Assistant Secretary who deals with war pensions entitlement or the Deputy Chief Medical Adviser (Social Security) as appropriate.

These arrangements should make doubly sure that no well based claim from an ex-FEPOW or his widow is rejected. I proposed to the deputation that we

RUC Civilians Persons under 16
RUC Reserve Army UDR Men Women Male Female
1969 1 — — — 7 — 2 —
1970 2 — — — 11 — — —
1971 11 — 45 5 48 13 2 3
1972 (up to 24th May, 1972) 7 1 27 7 38 8 3 2

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now provide details of individual cases of torture and murder by the Irish Republican Army.

should meet again once the FEPOW Unit has been operating for some months to review progress and it will let me know when it wishes to have this further meeting.