HC Deb 02 March 1953 vol 512 cc13-4W
86. Mr. Isaacs

asked the Minister of Pensions why members of the British Forces who were prisoners of the Japanese but whose place of residence at the date of their enlistment was outside the United Kingdom are not entitled to participate in the distribution of the money available to provide compensation for the hardship suffered during their incarceration.

Mr. Amory

In view of the relatively small sum available for distribution it was necessary to restrict the categories of persons eligible. As these Article 14 assets were those frozen in the United Kingdom, it was felt that British nationals normally belonging to or having roots in the United Kingdom before the war and who are living here now should be the ones to benefit.