§ Major Asterley Jonesasked the Secretary of State for War how many men of the R.N., Army and R.A.F. who were posted as missing after the fall of Singapore are still unaccounted for; and whether he will inform the House what steps are being taken to locate men who may still be alive and unable to communicate with allied forces.
§ Mr. LawsonAbout 9,700 officers and men in the Far East are still unaccounted for. This figure includes those originally posted as missing and of whom nothing has since been heard, and those known to have been prisoners of war, who have not been recovered or notified as dead. An organisation has been set up in S.E.A.C. to deal specifically with these cases. All possible evidence is collected and sifted and search teams are working in all likely districts. No efforts will be spared to find any individuals who may still be living or to obtain information regarding those who have lost their lives.