§ 8. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese liable to call-up have left Malaya since the system of conscription came into force; and how many of these received prior permission to do so and were given re-entry permits.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe information requested in the first part of the Question is not available, but several thousand Chinese in these age groups liable to call-up applied for "certificates of admission" during the first quarter of this year. Until 2274 last year, "certificates of admission," which cannot be refused by law, were the only authority required by aliens resident in Malaya to re-enter the country, but visas are now required in addition. No permission is required to leave Malaya, but no re-entry visas have been or will be granted to persons leaving to avoid call-up.
§ Mr. MacphersonIs it not a little difficult to judge in advance whether somebody is leaving Malaya with the object of avoiding the call-up? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in conjunction with the High Commissioner and the Governor of Singapore, the possibility of instituting some such system as this, in view of the length of time which very often elapses before re-entry permission can be obtained?
§ Mr. GriffithsI do not think it will be too difficult to judge what is the reason for leaving Malaya. There is, so far as I imagine, no difficulty about a person who wants to leave giving the reasons why he is leaving. If he gives no reason, then I think it is a fair assumption that he is leaving to avoid the call-up.