§ 21. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest figures of surrenders in Malaya during the present year, compared with those of last year.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOne hundred and eighteen terrorists surrendered in the first seven months of this year, compared with 193 in the corresponding months last year.
§ Mr. AwberyCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us why the number has been reduced? Is there in his own mind any reason for it?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is fairly clear that it is probably due to the reduction in the number of contacts made with the terrorists, and that reduction is itself probably due to the fact that the terrorists have been driven into the deep jungle.
§ 22. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the surrender terms offered to the participants in the jungle war in Malaya.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Federation Government have guaranteed that every Communist who surrenders will be justly and humanely treated and that, provided that he has not been concerned in murder, he will not be charged with the capital offence of bearing arms. There are also fixed rewards for any who bring out two or more others with them, or who bring out weapons which are not their own, eliminate other terrorists before surrendering or give information which is successfully used by the Security Forces.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that when we discussed the problem of Malaya before the Recess I quoted the case of a man who surrendered under the terms of the armistice and was then brought before a court and executed? Will the Minister look into a case of that character, because it discourages men from surrendering?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt would also enormously discourage the people who have witnessed atrocious crimes or whose families have been the victims of atrocious crimes if people who were guilty 1198 of murder were not called upon to pay the penalty.
§ Mr. HaleDid I rightly apprehend the right hon. Gentleman to say that payments are made for the elimination of other people living in Malaya? Under what laws is this done? By what courts will the offences be tried? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the circumstances are, to whom the payments are made, and who is to be eliminated?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMalaya is living under emergency conditions, and it is essential to bring the emergency to an end as early as possible. These and other means, which would not be palatable under purely peace conditions, must be used in circumstances of this kind.
§ Mr. BrockwayThe Minister said in reply to an earlier Question that he would reply to me at this point. Perhaps I might put my question now. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending to Malaya the same surrender terms as are offered in Kenya, including no death penalties?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIf I do not reply in detail to the hon. Gentleman's question, I must not be taken as accepting the comparison which he draws between Kenya and Malaya. Anyhow, the circumstances are wholly different. I have answered in reply to this Question the point put to me by the hon. Gentleman previously, and I have nothing to add to that reply.