§ 42. Mr. FALLEasked if the proposal to present a battleship originated with the Sultan of Perak or if the suggestion was made by a British official and conveyed to the Sultan of Perak and, through the same channel, to the three other Sultans of the Federated Malay States; and if a repetition of this offer by other protected States will be pleasing to the Government?
Mr. HARCOURTI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the dispatch from the High Commissioner for the Malay States published in the Press on the 18th of December last, which gives a full account of the origin of the proposal. I do not think that it Would be fitting or discreet that I should answer the second part of the question.