§ 37. Captain Ryderasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make regulations whereby it will be an offence to exclude any inhabitant of Malaya from any social institution on grounds of race or colour.
§ Mr. LytteltonI do not believe that regulations would be appropriate. The High Commissioner and his Deputy have left no doubt that they deplore any colour bar, and I think that they have the support of a large majority in Malaya in that attitude.
§ Captain RyderWhile appreciating that the making of regulations is not the way to deal with this problem, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the recent action of the Lake Club at Kuala Lumpur in excluding the ruling Prince of Selangor has been deeply resented by the people of Malaya and has done great harm to this country?
Mr. DugdaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the record of Malaya in this respect is considerably better than that of East and Central Africa, and will he draw the attention of these Governments to the feelings expressed in this House on the Malaya question?
§ Mr. LytteltonI am not prepared to accept that statement in that form.
§ Mr. DribergIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recent action of the High Commissioner on the Lake Club, to which the hon. and gallant Member for Merton and Morden (Captain Ryder) has referred, has the general support of Members of this House, even of those who have been critical of some of the High Commissioner's other policies?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, I think so.