§ 2. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for India the present position in Burma; and if there is any improvement to report?
§ Mr. BENNI am circulating a statement covering the events of last week which indicates some improvement in the general situation.
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the resentment caused by the issue of the recent White Paper in Burma?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYHas the Secretary of State's attention been called to the statement issued on behalf of the Burmese people pointing out the desperate economic plight which led to the rebellion, and is he prepared to take any action?
§ Mr. BENNThe Government of Burma is doing what it can to meet the economic difficulties, which were one of the causes of the rebellion.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTMay I ask whether consideration has been given to the recommendations of the Brown Committee 4 of last year and whether any action will be taken?
§ Following is the statement:
§ The situation continues to improve, particularly in Henzada and in Tharrawaddy. In Thayetmyo District dacoities are still very numerous, but another battalion is being sent there immediately and it is hoped that this will improve the situation. Pegu District gives cause for some anxiety, and the question of sending troops there also is receiving urgent attention. The only important event in Lower Burma was an attack by 30 rebels on a village east of Letpadan in the Tharrawaddy District which was repulsed by Karens from a neighbouring armed village. Twenty rebels were killed and two were captured. In Prome District surrenders now total 950 and in the Shan States the casualties inflicted on rebels in the engagement reported last week were 40 killed, and about the same number wounded. In a subsequent night attack made by the rebels on a small camp, the military police lost two men killed and two wounded, but eight rebel corpses were found outside the camp next morning. Since then, the rebels have made no attacks, and columns are combing out the affected villages, which are confined to a small area on the borders of the Hsipaw and Lawksawk States. The leader is believed to be a Burman Pongyi who has been assisted by a dismissed official of the Lawksawk State.
§ Only two attacks on Indians have been reported, both of which took place in Myaungmya District. Statistics of emigration from Burma have decreased considerably. The only Government casualties reported during the week are those from the Shan States mentioned above and four headmen who are reported to have been killed in Prome District. Over 1,600 prisoners have been released from custody and the number remaining is about 1,600. Further releases are in progress. The price of paddy remained steady during the week and cultivation is progressing in Lower Burma, where the monsoon is favourable. In most districts it is estimated that about 10 per cent. of land is likely to 5 remain uncultivated. Crop prospects in the dry zone of Upper Burma are poor, and in several districts the early dry crops of sessamum, cotton and groundnuts are likely to be very poor owing to the failure of the early rains in June. Arrangements for the opening of relief works, where necessary, are being made.