§ 23. Mr. PENNYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the action of the Malay States Government in not submitting for the consideration of the Federal Council the contract for the Perak hydro-electric scheme until it was actually signed; and whether he will, in future, suggest to the British representatives on the spot the desirability of permitting some prior deliberation by these members of great undertakings of this nature before the colony is actually committed to them without possibility of any modification of details?
§ Mr. AMERYMy attention had not previously been called to the circumstance to which my hon. Friend refers, but I will invite the High Commissioner's observations on the point which he has raised. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that it is the State of Perak, and not the Government of the Federated Malay States, which was a party to the agreement in question.
§ Mr. PENNYMay we take it for granted that the Government have some say in the matter, although it appertains to Perak alone?