§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel Byersasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why R.A.F. personnel, dispatched from England to Singapore in September, on the "Duchess of Richmond," had their tropical gear, including mosquito-nets, removed; and when these will be replaced.
§ Mr. StracheyThese men were origin ally destined for Okinawa and were kitted up as a self-contained unit; on the defeat of Japan, they were sent to Singapore. Owing to the change of destination, certain items of tropical kit, including mosquito nets, were withdrawn before the unit sailed, on the assumption that they would be supplied from India. This assumption was wrong and was due to an administrative error which I deeply regret. Mosquito nets have now been issued locally to 80 per cent. of the men, and nets for the remainder are being flown from India and should now have arrived.
§ 42. Mr. Thurtleasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what complaints he has received regarding the conditions under which airmen are obliged to live in Singapore; and what action he has taken to improve these.
§ Mr. StracheyI am making urgent inquiries into living conditions for members of the Royal Air Force in Singapore about which representations have been made to my Noble Friend. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down his question again next week, I hope to be in a position to provide him with full information.