HC Deb 30 June 1948 vol 452 cc2181-2
5. Mr. Gammans

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what has happened to the plaque and pictures presented to H.M.S. "Malaya" by the people of Malaya; and if he will arrange for them to be returned to the Government of Malaya as a small token of the appreciation of the Admiralty for the gift of this ship to the Royal Navy.

Mr. Dugdale

With the concurrence of His Excellency the Governor of the Malayan Union, the plaque of silver and copper recording the history of H.M.S. "Malaya" from 1918–46 has been lent to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich where it will be exhibited until there is once again an H.M.S. "Malaya" in service. In accordance with Admiralty instructions for safeguarding trophies during the war, the pictures, which had been presented individually by eight residents of Malaya on 19th June, 1919, were landed at Alexandria in September, 1939. I regret that they were found to be missing in November, 1944, after a burglary at the premises at which they were stored, and police action failed to recover them.

As a token of the Admiralty's appreciation of the generosity of the people of the Malayan Union, the ship's bell of H.M.S. "Malaya" was presented to the Victoria Institution Kuala Lumpur, on 12th September, 1947, the second anniversary of Liberation Day, in the presence of His Excellency the Governor, the Sultan of Selangor, the Raja Muda of Perak (representing His Highness the Sultan of Perak), and Officials of the Malayan Union. Photographs of H.M.S. "Malaya" and of the history shield have also been presented to the Malayan Union for display in the Federal Legislative Council Chamber, and in each of the Council of State Chambers of the former Federated Malay States.

Commander Noble

Can the Minister say whether the pictures that were stolen were insured?

Mr. Dugdale

No, Sir, I cannot say that, but I can say that they were not pictures of any outstanding value.