HC Deb 23 July 1952 vol 504 cc510-1
15. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese and Indians have applied for citizenship of Malaya; what are the conditions under which it is granted; and how many have been accepted.

Mr. Lyttelton

At the end of March certificates of citizenship had been issued to 299,907 Chinese and 31,505 Indians, Pakistanis and Ceylonese. I cannot say how many applications were awaiting consideration at that time.

The conditions under which Federal citizenship is granted to non-Malays on application are laid down in the Federation Agreement of 1948, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant clause. I should add that revised conditions will come into operation as soon as all the States have passed their new Nationality Bills.

Mr. Awbery

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information conveyed to him from Malaya is often in conflict with the information conveyed to me? Is he aware that the slowness in dealing with applications for citizenship is causing the applications to pile up in the offices? Will he ask that these applications should be dealt with more expeditiously?

Mr. Lyttelton

I should think that it is possible that the hon. Member's information may conflict with mine, but I must rely upon official sources.

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