§ 20. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British soldiers stationed in Malaya have been charged with crimes against civilians; and what have been the offences for which they have been charged.
Mr. Creech JonesI am consulting the Malayan Governments and will write to my hon. Friend when I have their replies.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreCan the right hon. Gentleman also include the figure of how many Malayan civilians have been charged with crimes against British soldiers?
§ Earl WintertonIn order to remove from the British Army in Malaya the stigma that there has been an undue number of crimes, will the Secretary of State make this information available to the House, as some of us on this side of the House take an acute interest in this matter, and are not prepared to allow an attack on British soldiers to go unanswered?
Mr. Creech JonesI associate myself with the noble Lord's supplementary question. The conduct of the troops has been very good indeed.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the reputation of the British Army stands high enough in the world to make it unnecessary to hide or whitewash anything which takes place concerning individual soldiers?
§ Mr. HughesHas not my right hon. Friend admitted that privates of the Sea-forth Highlanders have been found guilty in Singapore of crimes of violence and have been sentenced to be flogged? There are other cases. Why should these questions not be asked?