HC Deb 01 August 1957 vol 574 cc1518-9
Mr. Gaitskell (by Private Notice)

asked the Leader of the House whether he will make a statement about gifts to the Parliament and Government of the Federation of Malaya to mark Malaya's attainment of independence.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

Yes, Sir. Her Majesty's Government have authorised me to propose to you, Sir, that you should, on behalf of this House, offer to the Parliament of Malaya the gift of a Chair for their Speaker, with congratulations on Malaya's attainment of independence within the Commonwealth and with best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of her people.

Her Majesty's Government have also decided to offer biennially a Post-Graduate Scholarship to the Federation of Malaya to mark Malaya's attainment of independence. Details of this gift will be decided in discussion with the Malayan Government.

Mr. Gaitskell

My right hon. and hon. Friends and I warmly support the proposal, Mr. Speaker, that you should offer the Parliament of Malaya the gift of a Chair for its Speaker and also the Government's proposal to offer a post-graduate scholarship. We would wish to associate ourselves with the congratulations offered to Malaya upon obtaining independence.

Mr. Speaker

Perhaps I may say that I will gladly make this offer on behalf of the House of Commons—on the assumption, of course, that I shall have the warm approval of hon. Members in all parts of the House.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

In due course, this matter will be put into regular form by the passage of a Resolution. That was done in the case of Ceylon, Australia and New Zealand.