HC Deb 19 December 1961 vol 651 cc1103-4
1. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further developments have taken place in respect of the proposed Malaysian Federation to include British North Borneo, Brunei and Sarawak; if the Sultan of Brunei has indicated his approval of the proposal; if Her Majesty's Government, in consultation with the Malayan Government, will invite the Sultan to make some of his educational and medical services available to other Territories in the proposed Federation; and whether the proposal will be subject to a referendum of the peoples in each of the Territories.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

It has been agreed with the Government of the Federation of Malaya that a Commission of Inquiry should visit North Borneo and Sarawak to ascertain the views of the peoples of North Borneo and Sarawak on inclusion in the proposed new Federation and to make recommendations in the light of its assessment of these views. Steps are now being taken to establish it.

The Sultan of Brunei has stated in the Brunei Legislative Council that he welcomes the proposal for a Federation of Malaysia and has said that public opinion in his State will be sought.

The issues raised in the third part of the Question would be for the Governments of the proposed Federation and the State of Brunei to consider.

Mr. Sorensen

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Sultan of Brunei has, in reply to the questions I have addressed to the Minister, stated that he will make these medical and educational services available to the other prospective members of the Federation, because these services in Brunei are particularly valuable? Can the Secretary of State for the Colonies give any indication about how the people in the respective areas will be consulted?

Mr. Maudling

In reply to the first point, that was what I had in mind when I said that the issues raised in the third part of the Question would be matters for the Governments of the proposed Federation and Brunei to consider. It is premature to do so at this stage. In reply to the second point, we expect to proceed rapidly with the establishment of the Commission and its terms of reference.

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