§ 83. Mr. Pickthornasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any arrests have yet been made of those responsible for murdering several constables in the Batang-Padang district on 9th November; what police and military forces were in the district at the time; and what have arrived since.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsNo arrests had been made up to the afternoon of yesterday. I am informed that at the time there were 112 special constables and two British sergeants, but no troops, on the estate on which the ambush took place. Regular police were on the scene within two hours of the incident. I anticipate that by now troops will have arrived.