§ 31. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which elements of the population of the Federated Malay States are affected by the Bill recently passed by the Federal Council introducing the English common law into the states; and, in particualr, what will be the effect on the Chinese law of adoption, which has hitherto been recognised by the courts, having regard to the fact that it is understood that care has been taken to avoid interference with the Mohammedan laws of marriage and descent?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have been furnished with a copy of the Bill entitled "Civil Law Enactment Bill, 1937," dealing largely with technical matters of law such as tort feasors, as proposed for introduction into the Federal Council, but I have not yet received the enactment in its final form. I will ask the High Commissioner for a report on the points raised by the hon. Member.