§ Sir A. Gridleyasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information concerning the food situation at Singapore, having regard to the anxiety of relatives of those there imprisoned, where food supplies were formerly largely imported?
Mr. Harold MacmilianI regret that there is little definite information regarding the present position of food supplies in Malaya, but there is some evidence that Japanese authorities are finding it difficult to provide the shipping necessary for the maintenance of food imports from neighbouring territories. The Japanese Government have refused to grant safe conduct for food relief ships to be sent but have agreed that supplies might be loaded at Lourenco Marques on the ships returning to Japan in connection with the recent exchange arrangements. Full advantage has been taken of the space available on these ships and over 2,000 tons of food, clothing and medical supplies have recently been sent to Singapore for the relief of prisoners-of-war and civilian internees in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies.