§ 33. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is proposed that in the future, residents in 324 Malaya who acquire a Malayan Union citizenship, will not be British subjects; and what is to be the nationality of those residents in parts of Malaya who before the war were British subjects.
Mr. Creech JonesThose acquiring Malayan Union citizenship in the future will not thereby become British subjects, though they will be British protected persons. Nobody in Malaya, however, who was previously a British subject will lose that status, and persons born in the Settlements of Penang and Malacca in the future will, as in the past, be British subjects.
§ Mr. ReidCan the Minister give an assurance that it is his intention to throw open Malayan citizenship to all bona fide residents in Malaya irrespective of race?
Mr. Creech JonesThere must be certain qualifications. The House will have the opportunity on Friday of expressing its views on this matter.
§ Mr. GammansDoes this mean that people who are not British subjects and who continue to pay allegiance to a foreign Power can, in fact, acquire Malayan citizenship and enjoy equal rights with British subjects?
Mr. Creech JonesThat is one of the points which will be dealt with in the Order in Council and on which the House will have the opportunity of expressing its views on Friday.