HC Deb 04 July 1950 vol 477 cc223-4
16. Brigadier Rayner

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of his experience in Malaya, he will consider the award of war gratuities to the troops engaged in operations in that theatre.

The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. Michael Stewart)

No, Sir. The primary purpose of war gratuities was to ease the transition from Service to civilian life for men who had been called up in war for undetermined and often long periods of service.

Brigadier Rayner

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether his Department regards this stab-in-the-back campaign in Malaya as police activity or as war? Surely, Malaya is one place where the cold war has become pretty hot.

Mr. Stewart

That is so, but it does not really bear on the point raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. The men serving in Malaya are serving for determined periods.