13. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for War if he can give an undertaking that soldiers arriving in Malaya from the United Kingdom shall receive not less than six weeks' training before commencing active operations in the jungle.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)It is the policy of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Land Forces, that reinforcements should not be sent on operations before they have been in the Command four weeks for acclimatisation and for training in the tasks they are likely to perform in jungle operations. The Commander-in-Chief has been asked to investigate the desirability of increasing the length of training of reinforcements in Malaya. He has, however, advised against it.
Air Commodore HarveyDoes the Secretary of State recall that some 10 weeks ago the Under-Secretary of State informed the House that he would look into this matter? Does he not think he ought to have informed the House without a Question having to be put down to get further information?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. The matter has been looked into and, as I have just said, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Land Forces, has been consulted in the matter.