§ Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the statement on the conclusion of an agreement on criminal jurisdiction over United Nations' forces in Japan.
§ Mr. NuttingAn agreement regarding criminal jurisdiction over United Nations forces in Japan was signed yesterday in Tokyo by the representatives of those countries having forces in Japan. This brings all forces under United Nations Command, including those of the United States, on to the same footing. Our forces in Japan will, in practice, have substantially the same status as that to be enjoyed by our forces in the territories of our N.A.T.O. partners and by the forces of other N.A.T.O. countries in the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that our military authorities have jurisdiction over offences committed by our forces when on duty. Japan has jurisdiction over offences committed off duty. Either side can waive its right of primary jurisdiction.
The agreement enters provisionally into force on 29th October. It is subject to the approval of the Governments concerned.