HC Deb 16 May 1927 vol 206 c883
9. Sir JOHN POWER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Chinese citizens engaged in trade in British Malaya at the last census; and the number of Chinese immigrants into British Malaya for the latest year for which the figures are available?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

At the last census, out of a total population of Chinese origin of about 1,170,000 roughly 110,000 persons of Chinese race were engaged in trade, as distinguished from manual or clerical labour and other forms of service. As regards the last part of the question the number of Chinese immigrants into the Straits Settlements in 1925 was 214,692. The figures for the Malay States are necessarily not complete, but 19,337 Chinese immigrants are reported to have entered the Federated Malay States by sea in 1925.

Colonel APPLIN

In the return to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred does he include Straits-born Chinese who are British subjects?

Mr. AMERY

Yes. I carefully framed my answer so as to cover both.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Are there restrictions on the citizens of the Chinese Republic engaged in trade in the Malaya?

Mr. AMERY

Not so far as I am aware.

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