HL Deb 27 March 1928 vol 70 cc647-8

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS (LORD LOVAT)

My Lords, in asking you to give a Second Reading to this Bill I should like to say that it aims at sanctioning an agreement which has been come to between Sir Hugh Clifford, as Governor of Singapore, and the Sultan of Johore. As your Lordships are aware, when the island of Singapore was ceded to the East India Company in 1824, the islands, straits, and seas were ceded at the same time. It has been found inconvenient by the Sultan of Johore and his Government that the rights of the British should run absolutely up to the shores of Johore. It is thought that it would be better in the interests of both parties if the division ran along the centre of the water between the two States, as is almost the universal custom in other parts of the world. It is more convenient for Customs, it is also more convenient for the general administration of Johore. The Sultan of Johore is a Sovereign Prince. He is directly under the protection of His Majesty, and the relations are most excellent between the State of Johore and this country. The Bill really only makes a slightly altered boundary inside the Empire. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Lovat.)

THE EARL OF GLASGOW

My Lords, I should like to express, with great diffidence, my appreciation of the fact that this agreement has been made between His Majesty's Government and a man of such brilliant parts, a man also who is such a great friend of Britain, as is His Highness the Sultan of Johore. But there is one point about which I have just been told, and which I should like to bring to the notice of the House. Your Lordships know that this sea-line goes generally through the centre of the Straits of Johore, but it also goes through the centre of the anchorage of the naval base. Probably this does not matter, but it would be just as well if we could have an assurance from the noble Lord in charge of the Bill that at no time in the future will there be any restriction imposed upon His Majesty's ships if they wish to anchor on the Johore side of that line.

LORD LOVAT

My Lords, I understand that this matter was fully considered at the time that Sir Hugh Clifford entered into this agreement, and I do not think that the noble Earl need feel any anxiety lest the interests of His Majesty's Fleet have not been fully taken care of.

On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.