African Colonial Units

HC Deb 13 March 1951 vol 485 cc1277-8

27. Mr. Alport

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make regarding the Government's policy for the organisation and employment of African colonial units in the event of emergency.

Mr. M. Stewart

The importance of the use of African colonial units in an emergency is fully recognised, and plans to this end are now being examined.

Mr. Alport

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the Commander-in-Chief has recently had to deny rumours that African troops were being used exclusively in pioneer and labour units, and does not he agree that it is very important that the Government should get out a clear statement on this matter at an early date in order to check any decrease in the morale of the African units?

Mr. Stewart

Meanwhile, of course, it is important that rumours of that kind should not be spread.