§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum period of training at home excluding training on board ship and in jungle conditions, respectively, that any infantry soldier has received before being involved in action in operations against the Communists in Malaya; and what is the minimum period of training in jungle conditions which is now laid down as necessary before infantry soldiers are sent into action.
§ Mr. ShinwellIt is not the policy to disclose details of the training received by any particular arm of the Service but 135W as I have previously stated it has been the rule that all troops going to Malaya must have completed their periods of basic training at home. The rule now provides for a minimum period of 16 weeks' training and a total of 18 weeks' service before embarkation. On arrival they are not employed in operations without first receiving suitable training in local conditions.