Far East Prisoners of War: Ex Gratia Payment Scheme

HL Deb 24 October 2002 vol 639 cc109-10WA

Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether membership of the Indian National Liberation Army disqualifies former Far East prisoners of war from eligibility under the ex gratia payment scheme announced on 7 November 2000. [HL6133]

Lord Bach

During the Second World War, the Japanese recruited a considerable number of servicemen from Far Eastern countries whom they had taken prisoner of war to serve alongside them in the Indian National Liberation Army.

The ex gratia payment scheme was established to recognise the circumstances of the captivity of those taken prisoner by the Japanese. Anyone who would otherwise be eligible under the ex gratia payment scheme but who joined the Indian National Liberation Army had removed themselves from that captivity which the ex gratia payment scheme recognises. Their inclusion in the scheme would not be compatible with its purpose and therefore those prisoners of war who joined the Indian National Liberation Army are not entitled to any payment under the scheme.