HC Deb 04 December 1947 vol 445 cc562-3
48. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Prime Minister why, in the negotiations with the Government of Burma, the recognised leader of the Anglo-Burmans, Mr. C. H. Campagnale, was not consulted; and why letters addressed to him by Mr. Campagnale have not been acknowledged or answered.

The Prime Minister

As regards the first part of the Question, I assume that the Mr. C. H. Campagnale referred to is Mr. C. H. Campagnac. As the hon. Member will see from Mr. Campagnac's letter of 7th November to the editor of "The New Times of Burma," of which I am arranging to send him a copy, Mr. Campagnac associated himself with the resolution adopted at the Simla Conference in 1944, to which I referred in my earlier reply to the hon. Member of 30th October about the Anglo-Burman community. As regards the second part of the Question, I have, in fact, received only one letter from Mr. Campagnac, dated 27th February, 1946, on a different subject, to which a reply was sent on 22nd March. 1946.

Sir W. Smithers

I apologise it there has been a typographical mistake. Is the Prime Minister aware that there is still grave dissatisfaction among Anglo-Burmans in Burma; and will he give an undertaking that any of His Majesty's subjects will receive the proper courtesy and attention due to them?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The assumption of that supplementary question is that they do not. I have pointed out in the case which the hon. Member has raised that Mr. Campagnac, who is personally known to me, did receive a reply. Replies have been given, and the hon. Member is rather apt to take a complaint of a single individual for that of a whole community, particularly in regard to the Anglo-Burman community.