§ 24. Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men have been killed or wounded in 1893 action in Malaya since operations were commenced against the Communists; and what is the minimum period of training at home, excluding training on board ship, and training in jungle conditions, respectively, that any such officers and men had received before being killed or wounded.
§ Mr. ShinwellBetween 1st May, 1948, and 31st March, 1949, nine British Army officers and 27 other ranks have been killed, or died of wounds, and 10 British Army officers and 44 other ranks have been wounded in Malaya. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available and to obtain it would entail a disproportionate amount of work.
§ Major BeamishThat reply is really not good enough, in view of the very great public interest in this matter. How can it entail a disproportionate amount of work when the details must be actually available in the War Office?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am afraid the information is not readily available, but we are taking appropriate steps to ensure that men are not sent out without being adequately trained, and that, when they arrive at their destinations, they undergo an additional form of training.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the right hon. Gentleman say how many months' training had been given to one man whose name he notified to me in a letter the other day, and who was killed in Malaya after only five months' service?
§ Mr. ShinwellI do not think that supplementary question arises from the Question.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanCan the right hon. Gentleman say why 150 men were taken off a draft for the Far East the other day by him, and whether it had anything to do with their training?
§ Mr. ShinwellBecause I decided it was the proper thing to do.
§ Major BeamishIs it not clear from that reply, when the right hon. Gentleman says that steps are now being taken to ensure adequate training before sending men away, that in the past, since action started in Malaya, officers and men have been in action with inadequate training?
§ Mr. ShinwellI do not agree, and in any event it is a matter that rests very 1894 largely in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief on the spot, upon whom we rely.
§ Sir R. GlynIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an officer who left his O.C.T.U. unit at the end of March is now on embarkation leave?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt does not follow from that that he has not had adequate training.
§ Major BeamishI beg to give notice that, as this is a matter of very wide public interest, and as the Secretary of State refuses to answer my questions, I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.