§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence if any decision has been formed as to whether it is practicable to cut a canal through the Isthmus of Kra, observing the importance of the effect of such a canal upon the strategical questions involved in the Singapore base?
§ Sir T. INSKIPMy information is that no such scheme is under consideration by the Siamese Government, and I would draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the statement of the Siamese Foreign Office, which was reproduced in the "Bangkok Times" of 28th March, 1936, the operative part of which is as follows
There have been no tales from the Straits about any progress in cutting that canal across the Isthmus of Kra for quite a considerable time. But once set agoing such a story and it is difficult to kill it. The latest form it has taken in Europe is that there are now 200 Japanese engineers and 20,000 workmen busy on the job!A representative of this paper went to the Foreign Office yesterday and saw the Secretary of the Minister of Foreign 2957W Affairs about this, for it is sometimes well to get even an absurd statement officially contradicted. The Secretary pointed out that Siamese and foreigners alike are constantly travelling up and down the peninsula by rail, and know for themselves that no canal is being cut. There is absolutely no foundation, he added, for the statement that such a canal is contemplated. It is not desirable economically or strategically. But the tale has found wide circulation, he said, since a German engineer had written to the Minister, expressing his willingness to undertake the job.