§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what clarification was given on 24 November 2000 by DSS officials to representatives of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region on the interpretation of which category of claimant could count as British in order to qualify for the ex gratia claims announced on 7 November 2000, following a meeting on 15 November between the DSS, the War Pensions Agency and other interested organisations. [11304]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 30 October 2001]: I have been asked to reply.
Through the latter part of November 2000, DSS officials were talking to representatives of ex-service organisations on a daily basis.
While there is no specific record of contact with the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region on 24 November 2000, the advice being given at that time 749W was that to be eligible for the ex-gratia payment civilian claimants must have been British at the time of internment.