Armed Forces

Oral Answers to Questions — Malaya – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 September 1948.

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Photo of Mr William Gallacher Mr William Gallacher , Fife Western 12:00, 22 September 1948

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of the British Armed Forces and armed special police now in operation in Malaya; what is the estimate of the number of men in the guerilla forces; and what is the cost of the operation against them to date.

Mr. Creech Jones:

It is not in the public interest to give the number of British Armed Forces in Malaya. Seventeen thousand special constables have been enrolled in the Federation. Estimates of the number of terrorists vary between three and five thousand. No estimate is yet available of the cost of operations to date.

Photo of Mr William Gallacher Mr William Gallacher , Fife Western

In view of the fact that exactly the same accusations are being made against the Malayans as were made against the Irish, is there any proposition for adding the Black and Tans to what is now going on in Malaya; further, I would ask whether the right hon. Gentleman or the Leader of the House, if they were of military age, would go to Malaya?

Mr. Creech Jones:

No accusation is being made against Malaya. The Government of Malaya are merely concerned with the simple problem of the protection of the life and property of the people there.

Photo of Mr John McGovern Mr John McGovern , Glasgow Shettleston

Can the Minister tell us how many British citizens have been murdered in Malaya and how many others have been murdered by these alleged trade union leaders; also, has he any information of the number of social democrats and trade union leaders who were arrested and put to death in the occupied countries by Russia?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I hope to include some figures in the statement which I shall make at the end of Questions.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

In view of the Minister's statement that our troops are in Malaya to protect life and property, has he any information about the report published in the "Observer" of last Sunday in which the police are reported to have burned down a native village as a reprisal?