§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there is any truth in the statement made in "The Straits Times" on 1025 the 17th of January last, that some official correspondence had been laid before the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements, containing, amongst other documents, specific instructions to guide the British residents in the neighbouring Malay States in the performance of their duties; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table of this House Copies of those Instructions and any further Papers of public interest relating to the affairs of those Malay States?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHIt is true that some official Correspondence was laid before the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements, containing a Circular from the Governor of the Straits Settlements to the Residents, calling their attention to the instructions issued for their guidance by the Earl of Carnarvon in 1876, and reminding them that they were advisers, and not rulers, in the States to which they were accredited. The Papers which were laid before the Council can, of course, be presented to Parliament; and I will confer with the Governor, who has just arrived home on leave, in order that as full information as possible on the subject shall be presented to the House.