§ 31. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, on 1st August, 1950, only 35 officers out of 276 officers in the Malayan Civil Service were Malay officers; and why there are now more European officers in the Malayan Civil Service than there were in December, 1941.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn the conditions prevailing in Malaya it is essential that the 1730 Malayan Civil Service should be staffed by the best qualified officers available. As suitably qualified Malays have become available they have been appointed to the Service. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend will recognise that events over the past few years have called for an overall increase in the Malayan Civil Service.
§ Mr. WyattIs my right hon. Friend aware that before the war half of the members of the Indian Civil Service were Indian, and that this question of appointing Malay officers to the Malayan Civil Service is at the crux of the whole problem of making Malaya responsibly self-governing? Unless she has an administration of her own she cannot be responsibly self-governing?
§ Mr. GriffithsThe Federal Government and myself are most anxious to pro-mate the recruiting of more Malays to the Malayan Civil Service as quickly as possible. Under existing conditions, there is an urgent demand for men with special knowledge.