§ Mr. Stewardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the ambushing of British civilians in Malaya on 25th July; and what instructions he has given to the authorities so as to avoid a recurrence of such tragedies.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe incident to which my hon. Friend refers took place at Kulai in Johore on 25th July, when a party of about 20 Communist terrorists ambushed Colonel Gregoire, the Regional Controller of the Colonial Development Corporation, Mr. Gibson, their estate manager, and Mr. Christopher Shawcross, Q.C., while they were on a tour of the estate. Colonel Gregoire and Mr. Gibson were
108Whe is now in a position to make a statement on the pay of chaplains to the forces.
§ Mr. BirchI regret the delay in making this announcement. Increases in basic pay have now been approved for chaplains in all three Services similar to the improvements which were granted to Service officers in the middle range with effect from 1st April last (Cmd. 9088). The new rates for chaplains, which are shown in the table below, will have retrospective effect from the same date.
both killed and Mr. Shawcross was slightly wounded.
The authorities in Malaya take every possible precaution to prevent such incidents but in the local circumstances tragedies of this kind cannot always be avoided. I am sure that hon. Members will join with me in extending the sympathy of this House to the families of the murdered men.