§ 21. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate annual cost of the emergency in the Federation of Malaya and Singapore; what are the total grants made by Her Majesty's Government towards this expenditure; who will bear the cost of the Australian forces which are to be directed to this area; and, in view of the restriction on educational and social services caused by expenditure on the emergency, if he will consider a substantial increase in financial aid to the Federation and to Singapore further to ease the burden caused by the emergency.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe cost of the emergency to the two Governments in Malaya in 1954 was approximately £20 million, towards which Her Majesty's Government made a grant of £6 million. In addition, of course, Her Majesty's Government met the cost of the external forces in Malaya. It is customary for Commonwealth Governments to bear the cost of maintaining their own forces when these are deployed to meet Commonwealth strategic requirements.
In reply to the fourth part of the Question, I have nothing to add, in regard to the Federation Government, to the statement which I made on 15th December in reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery). There is no question of any need to help the Government of Singapore in this way.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that this emergency affects not only Malaya and Singapore but this country as well—we are involved in it just as much as the people of those two territories? Under those circumstances, is it not fairly evident that the expenditure they are making on the emergency must limit their power to spend similar money on the social services, and will he not reconsider the possibility of augmenting the assistance that we give to these territories?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir, there is no indication that the needful social development of Malaya is held up by anything other than the physical limitations enforced by the emergency, and Her Majesty's Government, having spent £65 million on the cost of the external forces 178 of Malaya, cannot be accused of not realising that this is an all-out Commonwealth effort.
§ Mr. AwberyIf the full financial responsibility of the emergency is not carried by this Government or very substantial further aid sent to Singapore and Malaya, then is there not a possibility of the Social services in both the Colony and in the Federation breaking down?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir, that is not the case at all. If my Answer and previous Answers are fully studied, it will be realised that what the hon. Member says is a completely inaccurate picture of the situation in the two territories. I am glad to say that in Singapore the surplus balance exceeds £35 million.