§ MR. SPEAR (Devonshire, Tavistock)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Federated Malay States have ever been formally annexed by the Crown so as to officially form part of the British Empire; and, if not, whether the portion of the State revenue that is allotted to the Sultans of those States for the maintenance of their dignity can be officially designated by colonial officers as fixed salaries settled by the High Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The Federated Malay States have not been annexed. Their relations with His Majesty's Government are determined by treaties in which the Sultans have undertaken to follow the advice of the British Residents and Resident-General in all matters of administration other than those touching the Mohammedan religion. The allowances paid to the Sultans are fixed by the High Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, and have been frequently described as "Salaries," both in official correspondence and in the Annual Estimates of the Malay States.