§ 25. Mr. Liptonasked the Attorney-General why he has decided against further investigations into the alleged massacre in 1948 of Chinese civilians by British troops in Malaysia.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Peter Rawlinson)After considering the result of the police inquiries in this country, the Director of Public Prosecutions was satisfied that there was no reasonable likelihood of obtaining sufficient evidence to warrant criminal proceedings. He therefore decided not to ask the police to continue the inquiry. I agree with his decision.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes the Attorney-General nevertheless agree that, in view of sworn statements by four ex-guardsmen claiming to be present at the scene, which were published in the People, it was necessary to have the inquiry even though after all these years it is generally accepted that it is impossible to collect sufficient evidence for a prosecution?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI do not wish to make any comment about the necessity of this inquiry. All I would like to repeat to the House and to the hon. Gentleman is my agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Mr. RichardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the previous Administration strongly took the view that once allegations of this sort had been made it was right and proper that a full investigation should be conducted into them by 835 the Director of Public Prosecutions? That investigation having been conducted and the Director having come to the conclusion which he reached, I trust that the House and the country will accept that a full investigation has been made.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI understand the point of view expressed by the hon. Gentleman and I am sure that he is correct in the last point he makes.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDid not the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) leave a slur on those against whom allegations were made and would not it be fitting for the hon. Gentleman to withdraw it?