HC Deb 01 July 1942 vol 381 cc201-2
33. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision was made for natives of Malaya and other colonial areas occupied by enemy forces who fled to other British territory; and whether he has any further information respecting the present treatment and the conditions of Native population and British, respectively, who remained in those occupied areas?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

There was no flight of Malays from Malaya or of the native population from the British Pacific Islands occupied by the enemy. Funds have been placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Embassy, Chungking, to enable them to co-operate with the Chinese authorities for the purpose of assisting Chinese who left Hong Kong for Free China. No official or authentic information has yet been received concerning the treatment and conditions of the European and Asiatic population in Malaya.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we take it that no natives of Malaya and Singapore, whether Chinese or Malayan or otherwise, escaped from that area into other British territory?

Mr. Macmillan

That is my information.