HC Deb 02 May 1951 vol 487 cc1169-70
27. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of modern equipment for the police in Malaya; and what he is doing to improve the situation.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths)

If the hon. and gallant Member is referring to armoured vehicles, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 18th April. I am not aware that equipment being supplied for the police against indents by the Malayan authorities is not of suitable modern types. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any particular equipment in mind perhaps he will send me details.

Brigadier Clarke

Does the Minister appreciate that Malayan police are fighting in the same way as troops and that my information is that their equipment is both inadequate and out of date? I will send him the information.

Mr. Griffiths

I am very conscious of the important part that the police play in Malaya, but my information is not the same as that of the hon. and gallant Member. If he has information perhaps he will send it on to me.

28. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what he is doing to remedy the shortage of khaki drill uniforms for the police in Malaya.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Special arrangements have been made to accelerate the delivery of khaki drill from this country for police uniforms in Malaya. Regular monthly shipments started last month.

Brigadier Clarke

Does not the Minister consider it rather a disgrace that policemen should be told not to walk out in their uniform as there will not be any replacement of what they have if they wear it out? Is that not a shocking way in which to treat police?

Mr. Griffiths

It would be, but I do not know from where the hon. and gallant Gentleman gets his information.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week his colleague, the Minister of Defence, or the Secretary of State for War—I forget which—told us that a considerable amount of khaki drill had been sold as no longer required?

Mr. Griffiths

My immediate concern is about supplies to Malaya.