Jack Lawson, Secretary of State for War in Clement Attlee's newly-elected Labour government, visits troops of 7th Parachute Battalion in Singapore.

Rather soft-focused footage of Jack Lawson leaving a shop in Singapore after a visit; an Army Film and Photo Unit jeep can be seen parked outside. At the HQ of 5th Parachute Brigade Lawson is received by Lieutenant-General Browning (Chief of Staff at South East Asia Command) and Brigadier Poett (Brigade commander). Badly fogged close-up of Lawson. Lawson standing amongst a crowd of paratroopers wearing a paratrooper red beret. Lawson is cheered by the paratroopers and held aloft. Paratroopers marching past. Lawson talking with a paratrooper. Brigadier Poett standing behind Lawson's shoulder. Brief shot of Lawson getting into his car.

Notes

1945 saw Clement Attlee's Labour Party withdraw from the wartime coalition government and prompt a General Election, which they won in a spectacular landslide. Jack Lawson, MP for Chester-le-Street, was appointed Secretary of State for War and was tasked with demobilising Britain's large and far-flung armed forces. In doing so he completed a 35,000 mile round trip of India and the Far East, including this visit to Singapore.

The dopesheet adds that Lawson was also accompanied by Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey, commander of 14th Army.