HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc910-1
6. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking with particular reference to the Federation of Malaya and Singapore to secure an agreement by which Chinese dual nationality no longer affects those two territories.

Mr. Turton

It is reported that the Governments of Indonesia and of the People's Republic of China signed such an agreement in Bandung on 22nd April. When this agreement is published it will be studied by Her Majesty's Government to see if there is any action we can usefully take.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we have an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will try to secure the same essential agreement as that which is apparently about to operate between Indonesia and China?

Mr. Turton

The hon. Gentleman will remember that when he asked me a rather similar question in January I then pointed out that Her Majesty's Government had noted the Chinese official statement that it was the duty of Chinese communities overseas not to take part in political disputes in their countries of residence and to obey and observe local laws and customs. So long as that is carried out, the position will be entirely satisfactory.

Mr. Sorensen

Is not this new agreement far more cogent than the general agreement given on that occasion?

Mr. Turton

Let us first see the agreement.