§ 47. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether the statement of the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Singapore on 29th November that political progress was not an integral part of the struggle against militant Communism in Malaya represents His Majesty's Government's policy.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)I expect that my right hon. Friend desired to make it clear that without more rapid progress in operations against the Communists, progress in other ways is bound to be slower and more difficult.
§ Mr. WyattWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he has cast aside his previous objections to the independence of countries in South-East Asia, and that he now understands that it will be impossible to gain the sympathy and support of the people who live in Malaya in the fight against Communism unless they are convinced that his Administration is going to press forward with their self-government as quickly as did the previous Labour Administration?
§ The Prime MinisterI have no declaration to make on these subjects this afternoon.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn order to avoid any misunderstanding which might have serious political repercussions, and have an effect upon the emergency, will the right hon. Gentleman re-affirm that the policy of His Majesty's Government now is the policy announced by my right hon. Friend in 1946 or 1947 that it is our intention to help the people in Malaya to self-government within the Commonwealth as soon as possible?
§ The Prime MinisterThat certainly seems a very inoffensive way of stating general truths and purposes which are now accepted widely in this country.
§ Mr. GriffithsI want to press this matter. It is of very great importance. That policy was stated by my right hon. Friend. It was repeated on behalf of His Majesty's Government by myself both here and in Malaya. May I ask the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government now stand by that policy?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not propose myself to be drawn into a detailed dis- 2385 cussion on the matter at Question time. I am myself awaiting the return of the Secretary of State from his mission, and then we shall have an opportunity of considering all that he has to say, and everything may be discussed in this House. I was not aware of any decisive change that had been contemplated at all in this respect, though I should by no means bind myself always to follow out strictly and faithfully all the actions and policies proposed by the party opposite.
§ Mr. GriffithsDo I gather from the Prime Minister's statement that it is his intention and the intention of the Government to reconsider the policy already announced and re-affirmed several times? Do I gather that that has been reconsidered now?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman is endeavouring, I think, to procure some answer or some treatment of his Question here at Question time which would make mischief and cause trouble. I have not the slightest intention of being drawn into any pronouncement at present.
§ Mr. AttleeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that so far from there being any intention of making mischief, it is essential that the position of the Government should be made quite clear in view of the critical position of the fight against Communism in Malaya and the need for uniting all communities behind the Government, and that no statement casting doubt on the general line of policy, which, I thought, has been accepted in this House, should issue from this House? What my right hon. Friend was asking was that we may be quite clear that our purpose in defending Malaya against Communism is to help them on the road to self-government.
§ The Prime MinisterThe last two phrases seem to me to be entirely harmless and even helpful.
§ Mr. J. Griffiths rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerMiss Burton.
§ Mr. George WiggOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.