SHAN STATES FEDERAL FUND ORDER. (Hansard, 19 March 1942)

§ The Secretary of State for Burma (Mr. Amery)
I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty in pursuance of the provisions of Section 157 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, praying that the Government of Burma (Shan States Federal Fund) Order, 1942, be made in the form of the draft laid before Parliament.'' The purpose of this Order is to extend for another two years the temporary arrangement governing the provisions for finance for the Shan States of Burma, as well as their financial relation with the Government of Burma itself. The present arrangements were made under the Government of Burma (Shan States Federal Fund) Order, 1940, and it was hoped that by the end of the present month sufficient information could have been got together and reviewed to make it possible to set up a permanent scheme for the relationship of the Shan States to the Government of Burma. But owing to the war it has not been possible to make that exhaustive review or deduce the necessary consequences from it, and consequently the Governor, in entire agreement with his Financial Adviser and the Finance Minister of the Burma Government, asks that this present arrangement should be continued for another two years. I hope that in view of the straightforward character of the proposal, the House may grant it now.

§ Mr. Sorensen (Leyton, West)
May I ask whether the Burmese Legislature was consulted in this matter, or is likely to be consulted? Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the pending report, which has been so long delayed, is likely to be made?

§ Mr. Amery
I am advised that the Minister in charge of finance in the Burmese Ministry has entirely approved 1694 this temporary prolongation. It is not possible to say when the whole report will be available, but obviously the Governor hopes it will be available in the course of the next two years.