British Subjects (Safety)

HC Deb 14 February 1949 vol 461 cc763-4

5. Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the safety of British subjects in Burma.

Mr. McNeil

My right hon. Friend is in close touch with His Majesty's Ambassador at Rangoon regarding the safety of British subjects in Burma, which he has under constant review. There does not at present seem to be any particular danger to British subjects, since none of the insurgent groups is inspired by anti-British or anti-European feeling. Where local danger threatens, arrangements are being made for the evacuation of British subjects who wish to leave; wives and children of members of the British Services Mission were temporarily withdrawn on 5th February from Mingaladon to Rangoon and a similar withdrawal of part of the British community has since been made from Insein.

Mr. Gammans

in view of the fact that this deplorable state of affairs has arisen out of the failure of the Government's policy towards Burma, would it not be advisable to withdraw all these people of ours at once?

Mr. McNeil

Our information does not suggest the necessity for any such course. The Burmese Government have given undertakings, which have been upheld. I cannot for a second accept the suggestion that these consequences flow from the policy of His Majesty's Government.