Compensate our POWs.

Byline: GEORGE HERSCHEL

SOME two years ago the Australian government responded to an independent report that claimed servicemen held captive as POWs in Europe by either Germany/Italy or their allies should be entitled to a pounds 10,000 compensation payment similar to that paid to Far Eastern POWs. The commission reported they also suffered exceptional conditions of hardship and deprivation. I, on behalf of the National ex POW association North East Branch, have been campaigning for a similar compensation payment to be made to British ex-European POWs. However, my latest reply from the MoD is again in the negative.

I can only imagine how these ex POWs will feel when they see that an independent commission set up some 18 months ago has suggested all families who lost someone during the last 30 years or so due to the conflict in Northern Ireland should receive a payment of pounds 12,000.1 am sure many of them will be pleased to see the innocent victims of terrorism compensated but the commission have stated all families who lost someone will be compensated and that will include paramilitary/ terrorists some of whom may have blown themselves up or may have lost their lives during a firefight with British servicemen. GEORGE HERSCHEL, Ashington.

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