HC Deb 30 November 1943 vol 395 cc238-9W
Mr. Touche

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any further information regarding the conditions of British civilian internees at Stanley Camp, Hong Kong?

Mr. George Hall

In the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War made to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson) on 19th October last, it was pointed out that the rations issued by the Japanese were inadequate to maintain the prisoners over a long period in reasonable health. This statement holds good also for British civilian internees in camps such as Stanley Camp, Hong Kong. There is no doubt that the Japanese failure to provide the diet and rations necessary for the proper sustenance of Europeans in such places as Hong Kong must have an increasingly serious effect upon the wellbeing of the internees, and the Government take this opportunity of reminding the Japanese Government that they will be held responsible for all results arising from their failure to accord proper treatment to the internees and to permit, up to now, the regular despatch to them of the necessary relief supplies.