§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department has given to the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region as to the criteria former prisoners of the Japanese are required to meet in order to qualify for the ex gratia payments announced on 7 November 2000.[8980]
§ Dr. MoonieThe ex gratia scheme for former captives of the Japanese is administered by the War Pensions Agency, which became an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence with effect from 8 June 2001.
A leaflet setting out who can claim the ex gratia payment was issued to all those who contacted the War Pensions Agency for information and with every claim form. Copies were also sent to all ex-service organisations and groups representing civilian internees. The eligibility criteria relating to civilian internees were set out in my answer on 11 July 2001, Official Report, columns 516–17W to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton).