Japanese Prisoners of War

HC Deb 22 June 1998 vol 314 cc349-50W

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with Japanese prisoners of war on 10 June. [45812]

The Prime Minister

On 10 June I met the Chairman of the Japanese Labour Camps Survivors Association and the Chairman of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region.

I explained the efforts that the Government have made on behalf of the former prisoners. In response to our representations, the Japanese Prime Minister had made an official apology on behalf of his Government and announced a new package of measures to promote reconciliation.

I also agreed to consider a legal opinion the former prisoners had received on whether it is possible to re-open the 1951 Peace Treaty. I explained that I did not want to raise false hopes about this as the Government had already received legal advice in the opposite sense.