Interrogation and Possible Counter-Indoctrination of Released British Prisoners Held by Communists in Korea

SECRET 7. Public opinion may demand that ex-prisoners are repatriated in priority to the other forces. If this should be acceded to, it would be contrary to the latest ruling of the War Office. It is considered desirable that the Services do not allow themselves to be too easily influenced by this pressure, in view of the great importance of the intelligence requirement. RECOMMENDATIONS 8. We recommend that the Chiefs of Staff: (a) approve the proposals as described in paragraph 4 above, relating to the setting-up of teams to interrogate P.W likely to be released in the event of an armistice in Korea; (b) as a matter of urgency, submit the question of Communist indoctrination to the Standing Committee of Service Ministers and, in view of the situation which may result from an armistice in Korea request a policy on the form of counter indoctrination to be adopted; (c) take fully into consideration the importance of the intelligence requirement, if Public opinion should demand that ex-prisoners are given priority of repatriation.