HC Deb 18 December 1945 vol 417 cc1277-8W
Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it will continue to be the practice of British troops in Java 10 destroy native villages as a reprisal.

Mr. Lawson

Our commanders in Java have full authority to take all measures which in their opinion are necessary to ensure adequately the safety of their own forces. On the other hand, their instructions are to refrain from taking measures which are intended to be merely punitive and which are not necessitated by the requirements of military security.