§ 10. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet considered the memorial from the Malayan police service regarding conditions in Malaya; and what reply he has sent or proposes to send.
Mr. Creech JonesI informed the hon. and gallant Member of the nature of my reply to this petition in a letter dated 16th June and I have now sent him a copy of that letter.
§ Sir T. MooreCould the Minister say what is the real trouble with the Malayan police service at present? Why are so many competent and senior officers being 1199 retired or superseded at the time when it is most necessary to have their services?
Mr. Creech JonesI have informed the House from time to time on that point and, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, an inquiry is about to go to Malaya to investigate this problem.
§ Mr. GallacherThe trouble is that they are all in Malaya; they should be brought home.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the case I have sent to him of a Malayan officer who has been retired without any reason being given, with no inquiry held, no board, nothing? Does he expect such conditions to encourage other people to join the service?
Mr. Creech JonesI am quite unable to accept all that the hon. and gallant Member has said, but it is because of the dissatisfaction among large numbers of the Malayan police that this inquiry is being made.