§ 71. Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement concerning the position to date of the efforts being made to exterminate terrorist activities in Malaya.
Mr. DugdaleSince my right hon Friend made his full statement on 3rd November, there has been further evidence of the success of the resettlement operations, and other measures which form part of the Briggs Plan, in denying the Communist terrorists supplies of all150W kinds, particularly food. During recent weeks there has been an appreciable fall in the casualty rate among the civilian population and the security forces while the number of terrorists killed or captured has remained constant. Nevertheless, the striking power of the terrorists has not decreased, and there have been serious incidents of sabotage against the railways and rubber plantations. My right hon. Friend is now having discussions with the High Commissioner and General Briggs with the object of deciding what further measures can be taken to assist the progress of operations in Malaya.