HC Deb 27 March 1946 vol 421 cc356-9
14 and 33. Mr. Teelinģ

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he has any further statement to make with regard to the negotiations with the Rajah of Sarawak;

(2) if he will give an assurance that no final decision will be taken on the future of Sarawak before this House has been given an opportunity to discuss it.

Mr. georģe Hall

Arrangements are being made for the Rajah to leave this country for Sarawak by air on 5th April. On arrival His Highness will take over the administration of that territory from the military authorities. In agreement with the Rajah, I am also arranging for my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. Rees-Williams) and the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) to visit Sarawak for the purpose of confirming by independent inquiry that the Rajah's proposal for the cession of the territory to His Majesty is broadly acceptable to the native communities.

The House will appreciate that in the circumstances this inquiry must necessarily be of an informal nature. If the Members are satisfied as to the acceptability of the proposal, there would seem to be no reason for delaying the submission to the Sarawak Councils of the legislation authorising cession. Facilities for a Debate are not a matter for me but should be referred through the usual channels.

Mr. Teelinģ

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will not allow a matter of such importance as this to be finally decided without a report by the two Members who go there not only being sent back to this House, but brought back, for further discussion?

Mr. Hall

The question of a discussion is not for me to decide. That matter can very easily be raised through the usual channels.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary gave an unconditional pledge that before the future of Malaya was decided the House would have an opportunity of discussing it, would not the right hon. Gentleman do the same about Sarawak?

Mr. Hall

No, Sir. Under-Secretaries can take greater risks than Ministers can.

Mr. Stokes

While not objecting to the Members being sent, may I ask whether there is not some responsible representative of the Government there who could make a report?

Mr. Hall

My two hon. Friends are being sent out at the desire of the House.

Mr. Stanley

Would the right hon. Gentleman recommend to the Prime Minister that if Under-Secretaries are to take greater risks they should also receive greater salaries?

Squadron-Leader Donner

Would the right hon. Gentleman provide air transport to Sarawak for the Tuan Muda and the Rajah Muda, if he is so requested?

Mr. Hall

There is a Question on the Order Paper dealing with that matter.

34. Mr. Teelinģ

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the request from the Tuan Muda and the Rajah Muda of Sarawak to visit Sarawak in connection with the negotiations which are about to take place; and whether the necessary travelling facilities will be provided for them.

Mr. georģe Hall

I have not so far had an actual request, but the Tuan Muda referred to the question of his visiting Sarawak in recent correspondence with me. I intimated to him that I consider this to be a matter for the Rajah to decide, since any visit would take place when the Rajah will have resumed his administration in Sarawak.

Mr. Teelinģ

In view of the fact that we all know that the Rajah of Sarawak is keen on annexation and that his heir and large numbers of people in Sarawak are far from keen, am I to understand that the Colonial Office is not going to give an opportunity for the Rajah's heir and his family to discuss this matter with the people in Sarawak who are on his side?

Mr. Hall

I am sure the House will appreciate that Sarawak is not British territory. The Rajah is the supreme ruler and it is a matter for him. It is not a question of transport. It is a question whether any person should visit Sarawak, and it is entirely one for the Rajah to decide.

Mr. Stanley

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman and the Government are considering whether to accept the Rajah's offer to sell Sarawak for £1,000,000, surely they are entitled to insist on the Rajah giving any facilities they think right, in order that they may determine what is the feeling of the people of Sarawak. If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that, in order to add to the knowledge of this House as to what the people of Sarawak think, the Rajah Muda or the Tuan Muda should go, surely he is entitled, is he not, to ask the Rajah to give these facilities?

Mr. Hall

I would like to state emphatically that the Rajah is not selling Sarawak for £1,000,000. What the Rajah is asking is that £1,000,000 of £2,750,000 of the Sarawak State funds) which really are his funds, should be set aside as a trust fund, and only the income from the £1,000,000 will be used. After the beneficiaries who will receive the income from the £1,000,000 have died, the £1,000,000 will revert to Sarawak, so really there is no sale of Sarawak for £1,000,000. With regard to the visit, really I must leave that matter for the Rajah to decide. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why? '] Because he is the ruler of the territory, whether we like it or not. [An HON. MEMBER: "Have not the people some rights? "1 As a matter of fact, the House has agreed and indeed, the Rajah, upon representation from myself, has agreed, that two Members, one from the Government side and one from the Opposition, shall go out to Sarawak to see whether people on the spot desire or do not desire that cession shall take place.

Mr. Thomas Reid

Might I ask my right hon. Friend if he will raise any objection to the Rajah Muda going to Sarawak in case the Rajah is willing to let him go?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Hall

I did not quite catch the question.

Mr. Reid

Will my right hon. Friend state that he has no objection to the Rajah Muda going out to Sarawak, in case the Rajah allows him to go?

Mr. Hall

I certainly have no personal objection and, indeed, I do not intend interfering in this matter.

Mr. Skinnard

Will the Minister inform the House whether there is any functionary or personage called the Rajah Muda at present, as the title is entirely derived from the Rajah, and the last person holding the office was demoted from that office in September by an Act of State by the Rajah?

Mr. Hall

That is so, Sir.

Mr. Teelinģ

As the members of the Malayan Union, which I believe have considerable standing and numbers in Sarawak, have already said they want the Raja Muda to go out there, will that also be considered?

Mr. Hall

The standing and numbers of the Malayan Union arc not such as the hon. Member suggested. The total membership of the Malayan Union, as far as my information goes, is fewer than 2,500.