§ 8. Captain Gammansasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to give a detailed account of the application of the scorched earth policy in Malaya and, in particular, whether the Seremban tunnel and the Enggor bridge were destroyed; and whether references in the communiqués to the bombing of the marshalling yard at Gemas means that the Japanese are using the railway?
§ Sir E. GriggI am not yet in a position to give a detailed account of the application, of the scorched earth policy in Malaya. It is known, however, that both the East and West coast branches of the railway were blocked or destroyed at a number of points, and in particular that the Enggor bridge was demolished, the tunnel north of Kuala Lumpur blocked, and all large bridges blown up north of Seremban. No information is available as to the Seremban tunnel. There is no evidence that the Japanese are using the railway.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsWas the same policy applied to the boats along the coast of Malaya, or were they used by the Japanese to invade Singapore?
§ Sir E. GriggAs many boats as could be found were destroyed, but there is an enormous quantity of boats in every creek.
§ Sir A. KnoxWill the Minister ascertain whether the Seremban tunnel really has been blown up?
§ Sir E. GriggYes, Sir.