§ 24. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made to develop local government in the Federation of Malaya.
§ Mr. LytteltonAn encouraging start has been made in the election of local government bodies by popular vote. Thus last year the second annual elections were held in the municipalities of Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca. Also town council elections were held for the first time in three smaller towns, and it is planned to hold similar elections in 14 other towns before the end of this year. Under legislation passed last year, over 50 elected local councils have already been established for rural areas, including new villages, and there should be 70 more by the end of June.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWill my right hon. Friend congratulate all those concerned, and impress upon them the importance of local self-government as a basis of all good government?
§ Mr. LytteltonI do not think I need impress on the local Governments the importance of building up local government, because they are doing it so effectively.