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Dept of Social Security;War Pensions Agency

Answer

Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many former Japanese internees have been refused compensation payments on the grounds of nationality; and in how many cases inquiries are on-going; [158839] (2) how many former Japanese internees who were regarded as British before 1981 who held British UK-based passports until their deaths have been refused compensation on the grounds of non-British nationality. [158840] Mr. Bayley: The administration of the ex-gratia scheme for former captives of the Japanese is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency, Alan Burnham. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Alan Burnham to Mrs. Lait, dated 3 May 2001: I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning ex-gratia payments to former civilian internees of the Japanese during the Second World War. Up to 17.4.01 a total of 25,414 applications have been received for the ex-gratia payment and payments have been made to a total of 19,373 applicants. 484 applicants have been advised that their application has been rejected as they do not meet the entitlement conditions. Our records indicate that to date no applications have been rejected on grounds of non-British nationality. There are approximately 3600 cases where we are having to undertake further enquiries to confirm eligibility. The issues to be resolved in these cases vary and may include confirming details of internment, determining nationality or establishing bank details to facilitate payment.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

367 c787-8W; 158839;158840

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Compensation British nationality Japan Nationality World War II Prisoners of war

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk