HC Deb 10 February 1948 vol 447 cc196-7
18. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason for the continued delay in the publication of the despatches about the Malayan campaign.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Shinwell)

The despatch from Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham on Operations in the Far East from 17th October, 1940, to 27th December, 1941, and the related despatch from Major-General C. M. Maltby on Operations in Hong Kong from 8th to 25th December, 1941, were published on 22nd January and 29th January, respectively. General Sir Archibald Wavell's despatch to the Supreme Allied Command on Operations in the South West Pacific from 15th January to 25th February, 1942, will be published on the 24th of this month, and Lieutenant-General Percival's despatch on Operations of the Malaya Command 8th December, 1941, to 15th February, 1942, will be published as a supplement to the "London Gazette" on the 26th of this month, together with Naval and Air Force despatches relating to that phase of the war in the Far East.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Secretary of State confirm that that completes the despatches and that these, and the ones already published, are published in full?

Mr. Shinwell

I am not quite sure whether that completes all the despatches.

Mr. Keeling

What about the second point—are they published in full?

Mr. Shinwell

So far as I know, the despatches are published in full.

Sir Stanley Reed

Will the Secretary of State give personal attention to the publication of a full account of this disastrous campaign in justice to the many gallant men whose lives were lost in it and whose actions have not been fully appreciated?

Mr. Shinwell

When the hon. Member sees these despatches published in the supplement to the "London Gazette," he will be able to form an opinion whether or not they are accurate.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the publication of a map with these despatches so that they may be more easily followed?

Mr. Shinwell

I am under the impression that maps are supplied with some of the despatches, but I will look into the matter.