§ 33. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a decision has yet been reached regarding compensation for personal effects lost during the occupation of Malaya by the Japanese; and on what basis compensation is to be fixed.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe Malayan War Damage Claims Commissioner is at present in this country for discussions with the Departments concerned. It will be necessary for the Malayan Governments to consider the outcome of these discussions in the light of the general financial position before a statement can be made of the basis on which any compensation for war damage can be paid.
§ Mr. GammansConsidering that this has been going on for the last two and a half years, would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is about time the Government came to some decision in this matter?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsIt has been a long time, but then there is involved a vast sum of money for a country such as Malaya. We are asking them to expedite their decision on this matter.