§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Prime Minister when she received letters from Mr. Arthur Christie of Bryncir, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd, dated 24 September and 26 Octoer, concerning the plight of former Japanese prisoners of war who suffered experimentation at unit 731 during their captivity; and if she will now reply to these letters.
§ The Prime MinisterThe letters which Mr. Arthur Christie wrote on 24 September and 24 October concerning former Japanese prisoners of war were received on 30 September and 28 October respectively, and their receipt acknowledged by my office. Both letters were referred to the Ministry of Defence, which has been investigating this matter. This has necessarily been a time-consuming task involving the examination of records and 481W research into the events of over 40 years ago. However, these inquiries are now nearly complete and the Ministry of Defence expects to reply shortly.