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1,100 former POWs denied payments 1,100 former POWs denied payments
(about 2 hours later)
More than 1,000 British subjects interned by the Japanese during World War Two are not getting compensation, a defence minister has said.More than 1,000 British subjects interned by the Japanese during World War Two are not getting compensation, a defence minister has said.
Derek Twigg told MPs that about 1,100 British subjects without close blood links to the UK had been ruled ineligible for a £10,000 payment.Derek Twigg told MPs that about 1,100 British subjects without close blood links to the UK had been ruled ineligible for a £10,000 payment.
But a further 134 will get the money soon as they have met a test of living in the country for 20 years, he said.But a further 134 will get the money soon as they have met a test of living in the country for 20 years, he said.
In the last seven years 250 people have received payments totalling £25m. In the last seven years 25,000 people have received payments totalling £250m.
'Close link''Close link'
The Commons public administration committee heard that some former prisoners, who had lived in the UK for more than 20 years but could not prove it, had been denied the £10,000.The Commons public administration committee heard that some former prisoners, who had lived in the UK for more than 20 years but could not prove it, had been denied the £10,000.
But Mr Twigg said officials were making efforts to find evidence supporting their claims.But Mr Twigg said officials were making efforts to find evidence supporting their claims.
He told MPs that the compensation scheme could not be extended to include all people regarded as British citizens during the Second World War, as this would allow large groups - such as former Indian soldiers - to make claims.He told MPs that the compensation scheme could not be extended to include all people regarded as British citizens during the Second World War, as this would allow large groups - such as former Indian soldiers - to make claims.
Mr Twigg said claimants "should demonstrate a close link to the UK".Mr Twigg said claimants "should demonstrate a close link to the UK".
'Too wide''Too wide'
The government first announced in 2000 that it would make one-off payments of up to £10,000 for surviving prisoners who were "British citizens".The government first announced in 2000 that it would make one-off payments of up to £10,000 for surviving prisoners who were "British citizens".
But in June 2001 it emerged these were being denied to applicants not born, or without parents or grandparents who had been born, in the UK.But in June 2001 it emerged these were being denied to applicants not born, or without parents or grandparents who had been born, in the UK.
It transpired the "blood link" rule had been introduced in February that year, after it had been decided the original use of the term "British citizen" would be too wide.It transpired the "blood link" rule had been introduced in February that year, after it had been decided the original use of the term "British citizen" would be too wide.
A review last year brought in the 20-year residential rule to replace one which denied payments to people born abroad who had no UK-born parent or grandparentA review last year brought in the 20-year residential rule to replace one which denied payments to people born abroad who had no UK-born parent or grandparent
Mr Twigg told the committee it had always been the intention to limit numbers of those who could receive the money.Mr Twigg told the committee it had always been the intention to limit numbers of those who could receive the money.
But there had been "problems" because the government had pushed through the measures without explaining them properly.But there had been "problems" because the government had pushed through the measures without explaining them properly.
He said: "That has soured many people's view of the scheme despite the success it had been [overall]."He said: "That has soured many people's view of the scheme despite the success it had been [overall]."
The committee's chairman, Labour MP Tony Wright, said: "It's not a pretty story, really."The committee's chairman, Labour MP Tony Wright, said: "It's not a pretty story, really."
He described the compensation scheme as an "administrative quagmire".He described the compensation scheme as an "administrative quagmire".
Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen said the government should waive the 20-year rule and pay all those involved.Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen said the government should waive the 20-year rule and pay all those involved.