§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Burma how many British subjects have now been evacuated to India and elsewhere; and what steps have been taken to provide them with financial and other aid?
§ Mr. AmeryThe great majority of evacuees from Burma have gone to India in the first instance. The total number of arrivals in India is not yet known exactly, but it is estimated that up to the1398W end of May possibly 400,000, of whom the vast majority were Indians, had come through by sea or air or overland. This means that in spite of the enormous difficulties in the way of evacuation after the sea routes were closed, a large proportion of those wishing to leave Burma have been safely evacuated. Evacuation is continuing by the land routes, which so far have been used by some 125,000 persons. The numbers reaching India by road have now dropped, but though estimates are very difficult it is believed that there are considerable numbers still trying to make their way on the main route to India by the Chindwin Valley and also on the more difficult routes further north. The authorities in India are taking comprehensive and vigorous steps to the utmost in their power to assist those still on the way; but the problem has become an increasingly difficult one owing to the deterioration in the state of the tracks and the flooding of rivers with the breaking of the monsoon (the weight of which is, of course, most severe on the hills of the Assam-Burma border). This further slows down the pace of the less physically fit and produces the result that among those who have not yet got out the proportion of elderly people, women and children is high. I fear that grave dangers and hardships will inevitably be faced by those who are still en route.
With regard to the second part of the Question, the principal measures being taken to help evacuees are as follow:
Rescue parties are being sent into Burma and tribesmen and villagers have been promised rewards for acting as guides and picking up stragglers. Food and medical and other supplies, including clothing, have been dropped by aircraft at suitable places on the routes and also dumped at reception points. Numerous camps capable of accommodating from 1,000 to 5,000 have been established, all fully stocked with food and water; each has a commandant and one or two doctors and medical supplies. On reaching a motorable road the refugees are taken by motor transport to the nearest railhead. All facilities provided from the Indian border to railhead are free of charge, and at railhead those who have no funds are provided with free railway fare to their destination. A subsistence allowance is also paid in cases of need.