HC Deb 18 February 1947 vol 433 cc965-6
42. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the amounts and kinds of arms left by the British for the Dutch in Indonesia; and what arms are now being provided by this country.

Mr. Bellenger

Arms of the appropriate natures were provided for Dutch units in Indonesia on a normal basis for a force of all arms numbering about 62,00o. We are in the process of providing similar arms for a further 19,000 Dutch troops. It would be impossible, without an excessive amount of work, to separate the arms that were supplied in the Far East from those that came from stock in this country.

Mr. Mikardo

Could the right hon. Gentleman now answer the supplementary question which he did not answer earlier, namely, what is the cost to the British taxpayer of our supplying and furnishing a Dutch Army to fight the Indonesians?

Mr. Bellenger

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will endeavour to supply him with that information.

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