HC Deb 09 December 1953 vol 521 c1970
30. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many acres of land have been given away in Malaya by General Templer, the High Commissioner in Malaya, in consequence of the undertaking which he made to the villagers in the Jabor Valley on 30th July to the effect that he would give them an acre of land for every Communist guerrilla killed as a result of the information they gave.

Mr. Lyttelton

None, Sir. The villagers have not yet given any information of the kind required. I am asking the High Commissioner for further particulars.

Mr. Fernyhough

Could the right hon. Gentleman say to whom this land that was to have been given away belongs? Does he not think that this policy of the end justifying the means is completely out of keeping with everything for which we stand, and that this policy of bullying and bribing should be brought to a stop and replaced by a policy which will bring co-operation?

Mr. Lyttelton

I am not prepared to reply to the supplementary question put by the hon. Gentleman until I have more information.