§ 1. Mr. Peytonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he intends to publish his proposals for the new constitution of Malaya.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)It is hoped to publish a White Paper on the agreement reached between Her Majesty's Government, Their Highnesses the Rulers and the Government of the Federation of Malaya early next week.
§ Mr. PeytonWhilst I am very glad to hear that my right hon. Friend has such definite news on this subject, may I ask him if he is aware of the widespread interest with which the proposals are awaited and also of the certain amount of anxiety that there should be as little as possible of racial discrimination which might otherwise prejudice the future success of these proposals?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am aware of both those considerations.
§ 36. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place the memoranda submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the Reid Constitutional Commission for Malaya in the Library.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir. I do not propose to do this.
§ Mr. TeelingDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there is still a certain amount of anxiety in this country, in the Dominions and in the Commonwealth as a whole about the way in which the new constitution is being rather rushed? If he cannot put the whole facts in the Library, cannot he place there some kind 381 of memorandum about them in order to ensure that people realise what is our attitude and how far we are going?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe proposals which are now being considered are entirely acceptable to Her Majesty's Government, and when the White Paper is published shortly our point of view will be clearly shown.
§ 37. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ensure that in the forthcoming White Paper relating to the new Malayan Constitution it will be clearly indicated whether or not the special privileges to be given to the Malay section of the population are to be granted to immigrant Indonesians domiciled in Malaya on Independence Day; and whether or not they will be denied to persons born in Malaya or Chinese families which have been continuously domiciled there for over 200 years.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSafeguards for the rights of all races in the Federation will be provided in the new constitution. For an answer to his special points, I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the publication of the White Paper.