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All communications in writing made by any National Protected Person InformationBureau shall be authenticated by a signature or a seal. 552The National Protected Person Information Bureau: (1) receives and forwards certaininformation to the Powers concerned, through the intermediary of the Protecting Powers and theCentral Information Agency for protected persons; (2) replies to inquiries; (3) withholds certaininformation from the Powers concerned, but not the Central Information Agency for protectedpersons, in the interest of protected persons or their relatives; (4) collects personal valuables leftby certain protected persons; and (5) in occupied territory, has a special section that isresponsible for identifying children whose identity is in doubt.10.31.2.1 Receiving and Forwarding Certain Information. The NationalProtected Person Information Bureau receives certain information regarding protected personsfrom other departments of the State to which it belongs. 553Each National Protected Person Information Bureau shall immediately forwardinformation concerning protected persons by the most rapid means to the Powers of whom thesepersons are nationals, or to Powers in whose territory they resided, through the intermediary ofthe Protecting Powers and likewise through the Central Information Agency for protectedpersons. 55410.31.2.2 Replying to Inquiries Regarding Protected Persons. The NationalProtected Person Information Bureau shall also reply to all inquiries that may be receivedregarding protected persons. 555 Responses to inquiries must be made consistent with theprotection of protected persons against insults and public curiosity. 55610.31.2.3 Withholding of Information When Detrimental to the Person or His orHer Relatives. The National Protected Person Information Bureau shall transmit informationconcerning a protected person unless its transmission might be detrimental to the personconcerned or to his or her relatives. 557 Even in such a case, the information may not be withheld552 GC art. 137 (“All communications in writing made by any Bureau shall be authenticated by a signature or aseal.”).553 GC art. 136 (“Each of the Parties to the conflict shall, within the shortest possible period, give its Bureauinformation of any measure taken by it concerning any protected persons who are kept in custody for more than twoweeks, who are subjected to assigned residence or who are interned. It shall, furthermore, require its variousdepartments concerned with such matters to provide the aforesaid Bureau promptly with information concerning allchanges pertaining to these protected persons, as, for example, transfers, releases, repatriations, escapes, admittancesto hospitals, births and deaths.”).554 GC art. 137 (“Each national Bureau shall immediately forward information concerning protected persons by themost rapid means to the Powers of whom the aforesaid persons are nationals, or to Powers in whose territory theyresided, through the intermediary of the Protecting Powers and likewise through the Central Agency provided for inArticle 140.”).555 GC art. 137 (“The Bureaux shall also reply to all enquiries which may be received regarding protected persons.”).556 Refer to § 10.5.2 (Protection Against Insults and Public Curiosity).557 GC art. 137 (“Information Bureaux shall transmit information concerning a protected person unless itstransmission might be detrimental to the person concerned or to his or her relatives.”).722