§ Sir R. Glynasked the Prime Minister whether he will state the total number of British prisoners of war of all three services and indicate the numbers in Germany, Italy and the Far East respectively?
§ Sir J. GriggI have been asked to reply. The total number of British prisoners of war of the three Services notified as such up to 25th August is:—
Army … … 70,526 Navy … … 3,529 Royal Air Force … … 3,135 The numbers known to be in Germany, Italy and the Far East are:—
Germany. Italy. Far East. Army … 51,788 14,655 3,018 Navy … 2,332 614 582 Royal Air Force … 2,787 276 72 The figures for the Far East theatre relate almost exclusively to Hong Kong since the names of prisoners captured in Malaya and other areas have not yet been notified. The country of incarceration of a number of prisoners has yet to be reported. These figures do not represent the total number captured in recent operations; there is a varying time lag between the date of capture and the date when names are reported to this country.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, through His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican, convey the thanks of the many relatives in this country who have had news of missing and wounded British airmen, sailors and soldiers through the good offices of His Holiness and the officials of the Vatican?
§ Mr. LawHis Majesty's Government have already expressed through His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican their great appreciation of the humanitarian work done by the Pope and the Vatican in connection with prisoners of war.