HC Deb 13 February 1946 vol 419 cc354-5
7. Mr. George Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reasons led him to appoint Mr. Malcolm MacDonald to be Governor-General of Malaya.

8. Mr. Austin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he appointed Mr. Malcolm MacDonald Governor- General of the Malay States.

Mr. George Hall

Mr. Malcolm MacDonald has had an unusual knowledge and experience of colonial affairs and a wide acquaintance with inter-Commonwealth relations. He has been Secretary of State for the Colonies and Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. For the last five years he has been U.K. High Commissioner to Canada, serving both the late Government and the present Government with great ability and distinction. He is also well acquainted with local government in the United Kingdom. This knowledge and experience fully qualifies him for the important administrative responsibilities he will be called upon to discharge in his new post.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that people are bewildered when they see such important posts filled by politicians acceptable to His Majesty's Opposition, but who are openly hostile to the policy and programme of the Labour Party?

Mr. Hall

I really cannot accept the description of my hon. Friend. I have not experienced any hostility apart from the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

On the contrary, is the Minister aware that many people congratulate him on the wisdom of his choice?

Mr. Harold Davies

Is the Minister aware that in Malaya, from which I recently returned, the appointment of this Governor-General has in some respects broken the faith of some of the Malayans in the ideals of the Labour Government so far as they are concerned?

Mr. Hall

I have received no representations of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Austin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the view is very widely held in this country that the gentleman in question is so deeply steeped in National Labour politics that his appointment is unsatisfactory to the Malayan people?

Mr. Speaker

It is not right to attack an individual who cannot reply for himself. The Minister responsible should be criticised.