§ 9. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the Straits Settlements and/or the Federated Malay States, the Kuo Min Tang party has been declared an illegal society, and that prosecutions have taken place in Singapore against persons belonging to the Kuo Min Tang; whether these actions were taken with his sanction; and whether he has consulted His Majesty's Foreign Office on the matter?
§ Mr. AMERYThe policy of the Malayan Governments, in which they are fully supported by His Majesty's Government, is to refuse registration under the relative enactments to all foreign political societies, and the Kuo Min Tang, which comes within this category, is not registered in Malaya. I am aware that in the normal course of administration prosecutions have taken place from time to time against members of unregistered societies for offences against the Societies Law, but I am not in a position to give particulars.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not see that it is rather anomalous that, when we are trying to come to terms with this particular party for our own interests and for the sake of our own people in China, their members in Malaya should be prosecuted by the Government?
§ Mr. AMERYNo. The legislation in Malaya is quite generally applicable to all foreign societies, and has been in force for some considerable time.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 1381 the Chinese residents in Malaya are very law-abiding, peaceable people, and that they are a very valuable part of the community? Why prosecute them in this way?
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLAre the law-abiding Chinese who are doing well under the British control in Malaya objecting?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESDoes the right hon. Gentleman know whether the Kuo Min Tang perform any useful functions whatsoever?