§ 38. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Fijian troops were employed in Malaya, and for how long; what thanks have been given 193 them for their services there; and to what extent arrangements are being made to disband them on their return to Fiji.
§ Mr. ProfumoAs the Answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. TeelingWill my hon. Friend also take steps to make sure that something is known in this country of what the Fijian troops have done?
§ Mr. ProfumoYes, Sir. When my hon. Friend reads the answer to which I have referred, he will see that it pays the tribute which is rightly deserved to these troops for the work they did when they were in Malaya.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The 1st Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, served in Malaya between January, 1952, and the 18th June. 1956, when it returned to Fiji for disbandment. A total of 1,650 Fijian troops passed through the battalion during its period of Malayan service
§ Thanks for the Battalion's services were expressed by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on behalf of the Army Council, by the Commander-in-Chief Far East Land Forces, and by the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya.
§ On return to civil life members of the battalion were given free issue of clothing and in appropriate cases, agricultural tools and equipment. Assistance was also available, if required, for the repair and replacement of fishing boats. Other forms of resettlement benefits included exemption from communal duties for six months, trade training, agricultural training for settlement on the land, navigation training for prospective seamen, and bursaries for higher education. Assistance was also given through the Labour Department in placing demobilised men in suitable employment.
§ The above benefits are available up to twelve months from the date of discharge of the individual members of the battalion.