HC Deb 26 April 1950 vol 474 cc936-7
13. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans there are for the continuation and expansion of the voluntary effort shown in the anti-bandit month in Malaya.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The Federal Government intends that opportunities for voluntary service shall continue; 25,000 volunteers will be needed for a variety of duties including squatter re-settlement and propaganda work, and service as uniformed auxiliary police, village guards and coast watchers. State and settlement organisers of the anti-bandit month are being retained.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he will not get a satisfactory voluntary effort in Malaya until he has made it much clearer than it is now that we intend to restore law and order and stay in complete control of the country for a very long time?

Mr. Griffiths

The Prime Minister quite recently re-affirmed our policy to that effect.

Mr. Wyatt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is much more important to canalise and capitalise the increased voluntary effort of the Chinese community, which was so well forthcoming in the recent anti-bandit month, than to go into all kinds of martial law exploits as indicated by the Opposition?

Mr. Griffiths

I have already indicated that we attach the utmost importance to this voluntary effort.