HC Deb 18 July 1950 vol 477 cc2007-8
1. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men have been sent to Malaya; what is the average number of months they have served before being sent out; and if he proposes to continue to send men to do their National Service in Malaya.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)

Of the National Service men called up under the National Service Acts, 1948, some 4,500 were sent to Malaya during the period 1st January, 1949, to 31st May, 1950. Since May, 1949, it has been the rule that National Service men must serve for 4½ months before being sent to Malaya. The average period is slightly higher. As I have previously stated, National Service men must continue to be sent abroad to the extent that our military commitments render this necessary.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are some boys of 18 years of age who have just finished training for three months and who are now on leave before proceeding to Malaya and Hong Kong? Is he further aware of the undertaking, which was given during the passing of the National Service Act through this House, that no boy under 19 years of age would be sent abroad, and that during even the dark days of the war no boys under 19 were sent?

Mr. Strachey

I am not aware that they are being sent to Malaya after training of three months, for the rule is four and a half months before they are sent out. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind where this rule is not being followed I should like to hear of it.

Mr. Blackburn

Is it not being shown in Korea that the use of conscript troops at that stage of a war is not the best use that can be made of them? Does not my right hon. Friend think there should be a special volunteer force for Malaya of people with experience of Commando and similar operations in the last war, properly trained, which would be, in my view, the most effective method of dealing with the Malayan situation?

Mr. Strachey

That is a much wider question, but I do not take the view that National Service men have proved unsuitable in Malaya. From such personal observations as I could make there, I took a very different view from that.