HC Deb 16 July 1952 vol 503 c2140
33. Mr. G. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps his Department is taking to encourage European recruitment to the Malayan police.

Mr. Lyttelton

Vacancies are advertised in the usual way. This has been found satisfactory and the outstanding vacancies have now been reduced to small numbers.

Mr. Longden

Can my right hon. Friend make it clear that the recruitment of Malayan personnel is also being encouraged in this way; and can he say for how long he hopes to be able to retain the services of Colonel Young?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot give an answer to either of those questions, but my hon. Friend might be interested to know that there are 23 police lieutenant vacancies for which there are 90 applicants.

Mr. Awbery

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if he wants more recruits for the police force in Malaya his best course would be to increase the salaries and improve the conditions of service?

Mr. Lyttelton

The figures I have given seem to show that the conditions of service are such as to attract the right type of people.