§ 37. Mr. Lowasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a full statement on the recent activities of the British and Gurkha troops in Malaya.
§ Mr. StracheyTroops in Malaya are employed in active operations in aid of the civil power. They have been engaged first in destroying terrorist gangs in the jungle and on its fringes, and secondly in supporting the police in the more populated and resettled areas with a view to ensuring the security of the civil population. All reports show that these duties, difficult and arduous as they are, are being carried out in an exemplary manner. The hon. Member will appreciate that anything in the nature of a detailed statement, 191 on the activities in which the troops have been engaged would not be in the public interest.
§ Mr. LowIs it not important that considerable publicity should be given to the very arduous campaign in which we are involved and that regiments should be named so that the people of the country may understand what each regiment is doing and what is involved? After all, as the right hon. Gentleman keeps telling us and as he is well aware, this campaign is of the greatest importance and those taking part in it are submitted to great danger.
§ Mr. StracheyI have a good deal of sympathy with the hon. Member's view and, as far as security considerations allow, we will try to fulfil it.