§ 61. Mr. A. Somervilleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make regarding recent gifts to His Majesty's Government from the Malay States towards the cost of Imperial Defence?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe High Commissioner has informed me that the Rulers of the Federated Malay States, with the unanimous approval of the Federal Council, have decided to offer a gift of $4,000,000 to His Majesty's Government towards the cost of the general defence of the British Empire. He has also informed me of the decision of His Highness the Sultan and the Government of the State of Kelantan to give $100,000 for the same purpose, and of the Rajah and State Council of Perlis to give $25,000. I have asked the High Commissioners to convey to Their Highnesses the Rulers of those States and the Federal Council His Majesty's Government's warm appreciation of these generous gifts, and of this signal expression of their practical co-operation in consolidating the security of the Empire.
§ Mr. SomervilleMay I ask my right hon. Friend, in view of the continued generosity of the Malay States, whether he can give the total amount distributed from Malaya towards Imperial Defence.