HC Deb 02 February 1943 vol 386 cc760-1W
Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Burma the nature and the scope of the work now being carried out by the Government of Burma in India?

Mr. Amery

The main tasks of the Government of Burma at this moment are:—

  1. 1. to establish an organisation to meet the requirements of the military authorities in the operations for the recovery of 761 the country and afford the fullest co-operation in hastening the defeat of the Japanese.
  2. 2. to formulate plans for the material reconstruction of Burma and for the re-establishment of the normal life of the country after the eviction of the Japanese.
  3. 3. to study the whole field of administrative problems and make proposals for future policy.
Under the first heading the following is being, done. On the civil side the Government of Burma have considerably strengthened their frontier administrative personnel in those portions of the country which are still in British hands. These officers work under the operational control of the military, and liaison officers have been appointed to General Headquarters and to other military formations. Burmese-speaking officers and interpreters are being earmarked to accompany units in the field. On the military side, units of the Burma armed forces have been reorganised and are either undergoing intensive training for their future tasks or are actively co-operating with the Indian armed forces. To fulfil the tasks mentioned in heads 2 and 3 an officer has been appointed to deal with the question of the immediate needs of the civil population on our return to Burma and to work in close contact with the military authorities. Looking further ahead, the Governor has also set up a special department of his Government for the purposes of preparing plans for material reconstruction, studying the economic and social problems which will arise throughout the whole field of administration, and drawing up proposals as a basis on which, when the time comes, an early start may be made in reconstructing the life of Burma and effecting such reforms and improvements as are suggested by past experience. The Burmese Premier and Finance Minister and other Burmese are closely connected with this Department, which is manned by young officers of proved ability, whose first consideration will be the happiness and well-being of the Burmese people.

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