BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR

HC Deb 03 December 1942 vol 385 cc1327-8W

Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for War whether supplies of sulphaguanidine, which has proved its efficiency in cases of dysentery, can be, and are, sent to the camps of British prisoners of war?

Sir J. Grigg

Yes, Sir.

Dr. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with his Parliamentary reply to the Member for Rochdale on 6th October, 1942, the agreement with the Japanese authorities for the establishment, since July last, of a prisoner of war post from this country to Japan still holds good; whether letters are being forwarded at the present time to prisoners of war captured in Malaya, Java, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Burma; and whether any authoritative statement can be made showing that the position has been regularised?

Sir J. Grigg

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir," except that, as regards Java, letters are forwarded only to those listed as prisoners of war. I do not consider any further statement is necessary.

Dr. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the censor has informed correspondents to reported prisoners of war in Java, a Japanese occupied territory, that, he has been directed by the Secretary of State for War not to forward correspondence to such prisoners in their own interests and that, up to now, such correspondence is being withheld; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to whether such instructions have been issued by his Department, to clear up the confusion in this matter which is causing anxiety to many relatives.

Sir J. Grigg

My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed. Correspondence for officers and men reported as prisoners of war in Java is not being held up by the censor and I have nothing to add to the answer given on 15th October. As fighting is still" going on in Java it is not possible in the interests of the men themselves to forward letters unless or until they are reported as prisoners of war. No reports have been received of the capture of personnel from any units from the United Kingdom.