HC Deb 24 November 1937 vol 329 c1210
33. Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement with regard to the gift by the Rulers of the Federated Malay States of two squadrons of service aeroplanes to be stationed in Malaya?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

At the Durbar of Rulers of the Federated Malay States held on 1st November, His Highness the Sultan of Selangor stated that in the desire to show their grateful recognition of the special effort which is being made by His Majesty's Government to make the Empire secure, and with the object of associating themselves with that effort, he and the other three Rulers of the Federated States wished to present to His Majesty's Government two squadrons of service aeroplanes to be stationed in Malaya, subject to the condition that the total cost should not exceed 2,500,000 Straits Settlements dollars. The High Commissioner for the Malay States has reported to me that the proposal of their Highnesses was unanimously endorsed by the Federal Council on 5th November. On behalf of His Majesty's Government I have requested the High Commissioner to convey to their Highnesses the warm thanks and appreciation of His Majesty's Government for this further mark of their good will and practical co-operation.