LABOUR MP Gordon Prentice is to step up his battle to win compensation for Far East Prisoners of War despite a rebuff from the Government.

The Pendle back bencher pledged to keep up the campaign after he received a letter from Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie, which said the Government was maintaining its long-standing policy of not making the ex-gratia payment to former PoWs.

Mr Prentice said: "The latest news is disappointing but not unexpected.

"The Canadian government made an ex-gratia payment of £10,000 to its ex-servicemen who were Far East PoWs.

"If we did the same here, it would cost about £100m.

"Its not a lot when you consider the debt we owe the ex-servicemen and women. I am not going to let the matter drop."

Mr Prentice wrote to Prime Minister Tony Blair in December, following a meeting with the British Legion's Lancashire field officer Bob Ellis.

Mr Prentice told Mr Blair that up to now the PoWs had only received a maximum of £76 in compensation.

He told the Premier: "Surely it is high time for the British Government to follow their lead and ensure proper compensation for surviving former Far East PoWs or their widows."

Dr Moonie was replying on behalf of Mr Blair and Defence Secretary Jack Hoon. He estimated that there were some 10,639 Far East PoWs who might be eligible for any payment or whom their families might be eligible.

He said that Government had considered the matter "most carefully" but had no plans to change it policy on financial compensation for former servicemen and women.

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