HC Deb 04 April 1949 vol 463 c160W
37. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what supplies of arms are being sent to Siam; under what agreement; and for what purposes they are being supplied.

Mr. Mayhew

Sufficient arms are being sold to the Siamese Government to complete the equipment of five infantry battalions stationed in Southern Siam. Agreement for this transaction has been reached through normal diplomatic channels. The Siamese battalions will use these arms to preserve order on the Siamese-Malay frontier in co-operation with security forces in the Malay Federation. His Majesty's Government have also offered to supply a small quantity of equipment and arms for Siamese police units co-operating with British security forces in the border area.