HC Deb 03 May 1950 vol 474 cc1667-9
25. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many tin companies are now operating in Malaya.

Mr. J. Griffiths

There are 81 registered tin companies operating in Malaya, but these do not include Chinese partnerships. Chinese operators account for about one-third of the total production.

Mr. Hughes

Is it possible for my right hon. Friend to insert in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of these companies, showing the total profits that they made last year?

Mr. Griffiths

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Would the right hon. Gentleman add to that list the losses suffered in the war through our inablity to protect our own fellow-citizens, the dollars earned by those companies since the war, and the number of planters, who with their families, live in daily danger and have, in fact, also lost their lives?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is not the interest which has been aroused by this Question sufficient evidence for the Minister to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the full list of profits made by people who have never been in Malaya at all?

Mr. Griffiths

I am only too anxious to give information to hon. Members on both sides of the House about profits and losses, and if Questions are put down I will do my best to answer them.

Sir Herbert Williams

Will the same principle apply to those hon. Members, who are paid, who did not vote on Monday?

Mr. Speaker

The Question on the Paper asks how many companies are operating in Malaya. Any other question is outside its scope, and should not be asked.

26. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many rubber companies are now operating in Malaya.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I understand that the number of companies is about 500, but I could not say, without reference to the High Commissioner, what proportion of the total output is accounted for by these companies.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the fact that pressure has been brought on the Government to make rubber a strategic material will the Minister consider the nationalisation of these companies, in the national interest?

Mr. Walter Fletcher

In view of the fact that the rubber companies include European estates, Chinese estates, native estates and exporters, will the Minister say whether he understands what the question means—because nobody else does.

Mr. Griffiths

I have been asked for information and I have tried to give it. If hon. Members wish to ask any other Questions they should put them down.