HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc928-9
37. Sir R. Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of seats held by each of the parties in the recent elections in Singapore; and what was the percentage of votes polled by each of these parties.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Labour Front won 10 seats with 26.7 per cent. of the votes polled; the Progressive Party, four seats with 24.5 per cent. of the votes; the Democratic Party two seats with 20.3 per cent. of the votes; Independents three seats with 96 per cent. of the votes; the People's Action Party three seats with 8.6 per cent. of the votes; and the U.M.N.O./M.CA. Alliance three seats with 8.3 per cent. of the votes. The Labour Party polled 0.8 per cent. of the votes but won no seats.

Sir R. Robinson

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the resultant Government is a minority Government or a coalition Government?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It is a coalition Government, but I would not suggest that hon. Members opposite by changing their name from "party" to "front" are likely to fare any better in a month's time.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is it not a fact that the term "Labour Party" is something of a euphemism in Singapore and does not compare with the term as understood here?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think the word "Labour" applied to the Labour Party is also a euphemism in the United Kingdom.