§ 42. Mr. McAddenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many armoured vehicles are available to the Malayan police force.
Mr. DugdaleThe Malayan police have 118 armoured vehicles on their establishment. In addition, a further 59 armoured personnel carriers for the police will shortly be released from War Office stocks. They will require reconditioning before shipment to Malaya.
§ Mr. McAddenDoes not the right hon. Gentleman feel that they have a comparatively small number, and that the addition which they are to have is totally inadequate for the purpose? Is it not rather odd that it takes so long to see that these men are provided with proper vehicles?
Mr. DugdaleThe hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that I have announced that a further 59 are shortly to be released and sent to them.
§ Mr. McAddenIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the troubles in Malaya have been going on for a long while? I am glad that he has woken up to them at last.
§ 43. Mr. McAddenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of casualties that have been suffered by the Malayan police force whilst being transported in open vehicles.
Mr. DugdaleStatistics for the whole period of the emergency since June, 1948, are not readily available. In November, 1950, however, which was the month in which the highest number of police were killed in ambushes of vehicles, five were killed in ambushes of armoured vehicles and 15 in ambushes of unarmoured vehicles.
§ 44. Mr. McAddenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many E.Y. rifles are available for the Malayan police force.