asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for former far east prisoners of war and their families to visit the Siam-Burma railway at public expense.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 14 February at column 230 that the Government would arrange for a party of widows and veterans to make a visit to the far east in remembrance of husbands and comrades who died there. Planning for the visit is still at a very early stage and the itinerary and criteria governing eligibility have yet to be finalised. A further announcement will be made in due course.