59. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the present position in Malaya.
§ Mr. Lyttelton:The heavy casualties suffered by the security forces and civilians in October show the seriousness of the situation in Malaya. I can, however, report considerable progress in the resettlement of squatters and in the improvement of the intelligence organisation. The murder of Sir Henry Gurney has aroused the leading members of all communities to the need to strengthen the drive to rid the country of Communist terrorism. I should prefer to defer any further comment until after my return from Malaya.