§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Defence what was the total cost to the British taxpayers of the jungle war in Malaya up to Merdeka day; what is now the estimated annual expenditure on the maintenance of our troops in the Federation; and what proportion of this expenditure is to be paid by the Malayan Government.
§ Mr. SandysDuring the period from January, 1949, to 31st August, 1957, the extra cost of maintaining our forces in Malaya, over the cost of their maintenance in their normal stations, was approximately£55 million. In addition, Her Majesty's Government have made special grants to the Government of the Federation of£16 million. The extra cost of our forces in 1957 is likely to be 55W about£5 million. None of this expenditure will be met by the Federation Government.