HL Deb 04 April 1946 vol 140 cc589-92

4.22 p.m.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL) had given Notice of the following Motions:

That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under Section 139 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, by the Governor of Burma on 10th December, 1942, a copy of which was presented to this House on the 9th of February, 1943.

That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under Section 139 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, by the Governor of Burma on 17th October, 1945, a copy of which was presented to this House on the 26th of February, 1946.

The noble Earl said: My Lords, I think it would be to the convenience of the House if in my explanatory remarks I deal with both Resolutions together, although I will move them separately. Their common object is to make further provision for the Government of Burma during the interim period of direct rule that must elapse before the resumption of Parliamentary Government provided for in the Act of 1935. The first Resolution asks approval to the Governor's Proclamation giving him the powers of government in Burma. The validity of this Proclamation would expire automatically on June 9 this year if its continuance, in force were not approved before in Parliament. There is no prospect of Elections in Burma before that date although everything possible is being done to speed up the indispensable preliminaries.

The second Resolution relates to a Proclamation that will expire on April 16 unless it is renewed in the meantime by Parliament. This Proclamation enables the Governor to associate a certain number of Burmese public men with himself as members of his Executive and Legislative Council so that even at this early stage in the return to normal conditions in Burma the Burmese are able, in administrative or advisory capacities, to take an active part in the Government of their country. I beg to move the first Resolution standing in my name.

Moved, That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under section 139 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, by the Governor of Burma on December 10, 1942, a copy of which was presented to this House on February 9, 1943.—(The Earl of Listowel.)

4.24 p.m.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I submit that these very important Orders should not pass your Lordships' House without some interest being shown in them, as I am sure your Lordships would agree. The situation in Burma is known to us all and it appears to be perfectly satisfactory. Nevertheless since the first Orders were introduced into this House a good deal has happened in the neighbouring country of India, and although Burma is entirely independent of India and is, I presume, outside the scope of inquiry of the visiting Cabinet Ministers now in India on their very important duties, I think it will be generally agreed that whatever happens in India as a result of that mission—and certain things are bound to happen—there will be repercussions in Burma and some effect on the Burmese nation. I was very glad to hear from my noble friend, therefore, that the Elections are to be held at the earliest possible date. I do not know that date, and I do not want to press him—the Secretary of State for India is himself in India, and a very good thing too—but it is good to hear that these Elections will be held at the earliest possible moment.

With regard to the second Resolution, perhaps my noble friend can make this a little more clear. Would he say whether the Executive Council of fifteen and the Legislative Council of fifty have actually been established and are functioning? I gather they have. And how many of these are Burmese? I was not here when the other Order was introduced into your Lordships' House and if that information was given then I apologize, but it might perhaps be of general interest if it could be repeated. His Majesty's Government have given the clearest evidence, I suggest, of our desire to agree to Indian self-determination and apparently at last we are being taken seriously by all sections in India, as a result of the Prime Minister's momentous declaration. Obviously our attention with regard to Burma must be on the same level. I think it will be generally agreed that any constitutional changes in Burma should be considerably easier, as fortunately that country is not obsessed by the same communal difficulties as India. I do not think it is right to speak on these Orders which have great importance for the people of Burma, and indeed for your Lordships' House as we are still responsible, without saying again how much the people of this country recognize the very valuable services of patriotic Burmese in resisting the Japs. In the defeat of the largest Japanese army in the field, in the Pacific campaign, and in the liberation of their country, their services were outstanding. We fully appreciate that in this country, and recognize their share in the great victory over the Japanese.

4.28 p.m.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, Lord Strabolgi has asked me two questions on the two Proclamations, both of which I think I can answer in a way to give him at any rate a certain amount of satisfaction. Both the Executive and Legislative Council of the Governor of Burma were established some time ago and have been functioning, with most satisfactory results. The Executive Council was set up on November 3, 1945, and the Legislative Council was established on January 1 this year. I cannot give him the exact number of Burmese on these two bodies but I can assure him that the vast majority of their numbers are Burmese. I will provide him with the detailed information that he wants as soon as I have been able to obtain it from the Department.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg to move the second Resolution standing in my name.

Moved, That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under Section 139 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, by the Governor of Burma on October 17, 1945, a copy of which was presented to this House on February 26, 1946.—(The Earl of Listowel.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.