§ 32. Mr. W. J. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will stop the mass-destruction of village crops which is being used as a punishment in Malaya.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydVillage crops in Malaya are not destroyed as a punishment. It is sometimes necessary to destroy crops which have been grown by terrorists or might fall into their hands. Ripe crops are, if possible, collected.
§ Mr. FieldWill the Minister bear in mind that any form of collective punishment or reprisal which punishes the innocent as well as the guilty is surely 395 contrary to the principles of British justice, and is calculated to make more recruits to Communism than the reverse?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOur duty to the innocent is to bring this war to an end. This is a most useful way of helping to bring that about.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that it is now proposed to destroy these crops by chemical means, not merely the crops in the jungle but also crops in the villages? Does he really think this will strengthen our hold in Malaya?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think the hon. Gentleman had better await the reply to the next Question.