HC Deb 13 December 1911 vol 32 c2349
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in making regulations for entrance to the civil and police services of Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Federated Malay States, he is acting under any and, if so, what statutory powers?

Mr. HARCOURT

The answer is in the negative. The regulations are merely a statement of the conditions on which the Secretary of State is prepared to select persons for appointment to the service of these Colonies and Protected States.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked whether the police force in the Federated Malay States is chiefly composed of Indians and Malays; and whether the peculiar racial conditions which have induced him to exclude from the higher appointments of the police service all candidates who are not of pure European descent on both sides do not apply equally to the rank and file?

Mr. HARCOURT

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and the answer to the second part in the negative. I may add that the exclusion is no new act of mine, but has been in force for seven years.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

I would like to know whether, owing to the racial conditions of those Colonies the natives object to being tried by persons who are not of pure European descent, but have no objection to being arrested by persons who are not of pure European descent?

Mr. HARCOURT

The native population have not yet communicated to me their views on those refinements.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it his duty to ascertain the views of the natives on these refinements?

Mr. HARCOURT

I do not know whether my hon. Friend is suggesting any particular native. If so, perhaps he will send me his address.