§ 85. Brigadier Smythasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protests are being made by His Majesty's Government against the refusal of the Chinese Government to give full facilities to the International Red Cross to visit and report on British prisoners of war.
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§ Mr. H. MorrisonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th June to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys).
§ 89. Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make it clear that His Majesty's Government intend to hold personally answerable for their acts any individuals who may be found guilty of ill treatment, neglect or treatment contrary to international law of British military prisoners of war held by the Chinese or North Korean authorities.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe Unified Command are fully aware of their responsibilities in this connection and will report on any cases of ill-treatment which are brought to their notice. These reports will then be a matter for discussion with other Governments concerned, and His Majesty's Government will take their full share of responsibility in deciding on the measure to be taken.
§ 93. Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to ascertain, through the good offices of other Powers, the names and particulars of British prisoners of war in the hands of the Chinese and North Korean authorities, and the circumstances in which they are held.
§ Mr. WyattAs stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 12th February, an official approach was made to the Soviet Union on 5th February. No reply has yet been received. Discussions, not involving His Majesty's Government, have also taken place in Peking. I understand that negotiations between the International Red Cross Committee and the Chinese Red Cross Society, referred to in the replies given to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 8th and 29th May, are still in progress.