§ 66. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War what is the latest information that he has on the conditions and 8W treatment of British prisoners of war in North Korea; what efforts have recently been made to establish official communication with them; and by what means, and how rapidly, letters are now transmitted to and from these prisoners.
§ Mr. HeadSuch information as we have indicates that the men are reasonably fed, clothed and treated. Continued efforts to establish communication in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions have, I regret to say, proved fruitless. The letters handed over at Panmunjon, both to and from our prisoners of war, are sent through Tokio by air mail. The average time taken between this country and Panmunjon is 10 days in either direction; but, from the dates of letters recently received, it appears that they have been in the hands of the Chinese or North Korean authorities for about two months before being handed over.