§ 48. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on recent developments in connection with the proposed constitution for Singapore.
§ 5. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decisions have been reached in the negotiations with Mr. Lim Yew Hock, the Chief Minister, on the subject of self-government in Singapore; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI refer the hon. Members to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Owen) on 17th April. Since then, the proposed new constitution has received the unanimous support of all political parties in the Legislative Assembly of Singapore.
§ Mr. RobinsonWould the Secretary of State say whether, in view of the unfavourable reception of the "subversives" clause, he is prepared to reconsider that?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn my view, that clause is an essential necessity in order to get the Constitution off to a good start. I very much hope that Singapore Ministers and those others who have 977 found it repugnant will come round to this view. I have been encouraged in that by some of the Press comments on the clause.