HC Deb 13 February 1946 vol 419 cc358-60
18. Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what protests have been received from Malay rulers or any responsible body in Malaya against the terms of the White Paper for the proposed Malay Union.

Mr. George Hall

Since the publication of the White Paper I have received representations from the Sultan of Kedah and the Sultan of Perak, and from a few organisations of Malays. I am in communication with the Military Administration in Malaya as to how far the latter are representative of local opinion. All these representations relate in the main to the position of the Malay rulers, their control over Muhammadan religious affairs, and the admission of non-Malays to Malayan Union Citizenship. In so far as these matters are susceptible of adjustment within the general framework of the policy explained in the White Paper, they are receiving my careful consideration.

The Sultan of Kedah has also represented that his signature to the new Agreement was obtained under duress, but Sir H. MacMichael assures me that, while the Sultan made clear his dislike of the policy of His Majesty's Government, he used no form of duress. The matter has since been fully and frankly discussed by the Chief Civil Affairs Officer with the Sultan, who has intimated that while still unhappy about various aspects of the policy of His Majesty's Government he does not repudiate his signature to the new Agreement.

Mr. Gammans

Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that, in view of the fact that these reforms were pushed through almost in a matter of days, he ought to take some other steps to ascertain what are the wishes of the local inhabitants?

Mr. Hall

I cannot agree with the suggestion that the reforms were pushed through in a few days. A good deal of consideration was given to this matter and great care was taken by Sir Harold MacMichael to ascertain the views of people on the spot.

Mr. Stanley

Is it not clear, in view of these reports, that the sooner the House has an opportunity of discussing these extremely important constitutional reforms the better?

Mr. Hall

That is a matter which must be put to my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council.

Mr. Pickthorn

Is it intended, or has it been attempted, to invite from Sir Harold MacMichael information about the feelings on these proposals of experienced civil servants in Malaya, not necessarily for publication?

Mr. Hall

Sir Harold was sent out for a specific duty. In addition to meeting the Sultan, and in some cases the State Councils, he met quite a number of individuals and, on the whole, the Government scheme was very well received.

Squadron-Leader Donner

In view of the very large Malayan demonstrations against these proposals, would the Minister say how much time the Sultans were in fact given before they were asked to sign?

Mr. Hall

There was some time between the announcement in the House of Commons as to the Government's proposals, and the visit of Sir Harold MacMichael. There was no hurry about it. He met them on two or three occasions, and in no case, with the exception of the Sultan of Kedah and the Sultan of Perak, have we had any complaint from the Sultans.

Mr. Pickthorn

The right hon. Gentleman's answer to my supplementary question was not directly relevant. May I ask whether he has assured himself of the opinion about these matters held by civil servants in Malaya with Malayan experience?

Mr. Hall

Malaya is still under military administration. The civil servants there have the right to communicate with His Majesty's Government, and it is their duty, if they feel that there is what might be regarded as very extensive hostility to the Government's plans, to do so.

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