LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982
BRIEF NO.18: FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WAR (POWS)
POINTS TO MAKE [DEFENSIVE)
1.
Understand and sympathise with concern for welfare of
these men. But recent independent report commissioned by
Governor confirmed that Hong Kong Government's treatment of
former POWS fair and reasonable.
2.
Hong Kong practice follows that of UK very closely.
Benefits to POWS in Hong Kong comparable with those available to
counterparts in UK.
3.
Assistance in both pensions and medical care considerable. POWS in Hong Kong enjoy higher level of social
security benefit than rest of population.
4.
To extend the present system further would not be
practicable: would mean in practice extending it to include an enormous number of people. Civilians in Hong Kong during the war also suffered greatly.
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