§ 28. Mr. Turnerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the considerable fall in the volume of the barter trade with North Borneo east coast ports due to piracy on the high seas, he will reconsider with the Secretary of State for Air the question of stationing Royal Air Force patrol aeroplanes at Jesselton or Sandakan.
§ Mr. H. FraserNo, Sir. Naval patrols are preferable. They can make direct contact with suspected vessels and they have had considerable success recently. 875 The Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Far East, is considering how the Air Force can best assist.
§ Mr. TurnerWhile welcoming the assurance that the Navy is now going to be present, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that there has been a considerable deterioration in the situation in the last six months, and that at this moment there is a complete lack of confidence in that part of North Borneo in the ability of Her Majesty's Government to take really courageous action?
§ Mr. FraserWith respect, I think that is a gross exaggeration of the position. I think that what has happened was that there was undoubtedly a fall mainly in the movement of copra, but, although it fell in April to 893 tons, it went up in May to over 1,200 tons. As a result of the naval patrols in May, three suspected pirate vessels and 35 suspected pirates were arrested.