HC Deb 16 April 1953 vol 514 cc24-6W
Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the return to the United Kingdom of wounded and sick British prisoners of war.

Mr. Head

The names of the 20 wounded and sick British prisoners of war who are to be handed over have not yet been notified. As soon as the names are known, next of kin will be informed by telegram. Shortly after, they will be told whether their relative is wounded or sick and whether he is seriously ill or not.

As soon as the men are in our hands they will be flown from the Medical Evacuation Hospital at Seoul to the British Commonwealth General Hospital at Kure in Japan. All those who are fit to fly will be brought back by the Royal Air Force to this country: the others will return by sea. On reaching England the men will go first to Service hospitals which specialise in their particular ailments and then will be transferred as soon as possible to hospitals near their homes. The next of kin will be told when their relative will leave Japan, whether by air or by sea, and the expected date of his arrival in England They will also be informed as soon as he arrives and told to which hospital he is being taken.