§ 27. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Mr. P. L. D. Pointon, of Ladywood, Birmingham, when serving as a police lieutenant in Malaya, was accommodated in a storeroom 6 ft. by 6 ft., full of rats, from November, 1953, to January, 1954, and that failing to obtain redress of grievances he tendered his resignation; and why this man, before returning to this country, was compelled to pay £290, which included a refund of his passage to Malaya as well as his return fare home.
§ Mr. HopkinsonPolice in the Federation of Malaya who, like Mr. Pointon, volunteered for special operations duties, must have appreciated that their living conditions might sometimes be hard, but I have no evidence to support this particular complaint. He resigned after serving for less than half of his three-year engagement, in the full knowledge of the liabilities he would incur according to the terms of his contract.
§ Mr. YatesIs the Minister not aware that this man contracted scrub typhus disease as a result of these conditions, and had to be taken to hospital? Surely the authorities must have been aware of these conditions. This man is not making frivolous complaints. He was awarded the British Empire Medal by the late King for distinguished service in Malaya. He was entitled to have his grievances attended to—and there were a series of them. Will the Minister consider this matter further in the light of further evidence which I will submit to him, if he needs it, to prove conclusively that this man made a series of complaints which were not remedied?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI shall certainly be glad to look at any evidence and informa- 1164 tion which the hon. Member cares to send me.