§ 124. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for War from what source he has received information that certain British soldiers and airmen missing in Korea are prisoners of war; what arrangements are being made to supply them with parcels and comforts; and if he has any further information regarding the fate of the remaining men who are missing but not acknowledged as prisoners of war.
§ Mr. M. StewartI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend yesterday to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling). I regret that it has not yet been possible to make arrangements for the supply of parcels or comforts to British prisoners of war in Korea, or to obtain further information regarding the fate or identity of the remaining British prisoners of war. The prisoners of war who were recently released spent some five weeks in Chinese hands. Their reports indicate that they suffered no ill treatment during this period. They were accommodated in buildings in villages, which were heated at night, and were given the same food as their Chinese captors, consisting of two bowls of rice daily. Medical attention was given to the wounded and there was no discrimination between British, Americans and South Koreans.