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Malaya

Volume 486: debated on Wednesday 18 April 1951

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Armoured Vehicles

9.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the majority of the armoured cars being used by the security forces in Malaya were made during the last war and are short of spare parts, and that an undue percentage of them is always under repair; and how many new vehicles have been sent to Malaya during the past six months.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." The armoured vehicles are, however, all completely reconditioned; there is no scarcity of spare parts; and less than 10 per cent. are under repair. Sixty-one armoured vehicles have been sent out during the past six months for use by the police. The Malay Regiment obtains its vehicles and stores through military channels. There is some difficulty over spare parts for these vehicles, and repairs to them are subject to delay.

How can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile this statement with the assurance that the Prime Minister gave the House, about 18 months ago, that Malaya was getting first priority in the provision of new equipment?

I explained that the position is very much better than might have been supposed by the hon. Member's Question.

As these vehicles are presumably supplied by the Secretary of State for War, was it not inevitable that they would be short of nuts?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great shortage of armoured vehicles on rubber estates, and will he see that the men who are earning the dollars for us get some protection by having these vehicles?

Leprosy Treatment (Sulphurtone)

13.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what supplies of sulphurtone were sent to the two leper colonies in Malaya in 1950; if the amount sent was sufficient to meet the requirements; and what improvements in the treatment of leprosy have been recently introduced.

My right hon. Friend is consulting the High Commissioner and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as a reply is received.

Will my right hon. Friend see that periodical supplies of sulphurtone are sent to Malaya? Will he also see that every improvement in the treatment of this disease is introduced in Malaya and the other Colonies as quickly as possible?

We fully realise the importance of seeing to these matters, but I must await the report before I can give a definite answer.

Rubber (Acreage)

22.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what acreage was replanted in Malaya with budded rubber in 1949 and 1950; and what acreage is contemplated in 1951 and 1952.

Figures for 1949 and 1950 for the Federation of Malaya are 33,569 acres and 31,297 acres respectively. It is not known what acreage is contemplated in 1951 and 1952.

In view of the fact that this is the most productive method of producing rubber, will my right hon. Friend give instructions that it will be used throughout the Federation?

That is a matter of opinion, but my right hon. Friend is only too anxious that every possible method shall be used, this one among them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this acreage was divided as between estates and other producers?

What proportion of the replanting was carried out by native growers?