§ 2.34 p.m.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of any proposals for the secession of Penang and Province Wellesley from the Federation of Malaya.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, His Majesty's Government are aware that a motion of secession was debated and carried by a public meeting held in Penang in December, and that a representative committee was appointed by the meeting to act upon the resolution. No representations on the subject, however, have yet been made to the Government of the Federation of Malaya.
§ LORD MANCROFTArising out of that reply, for which I thank the noble Earl, can he say whether the movement is solely European in its support, or whether it has any Asiatic support?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELThe movement is not widespread or general, either in the island or on the mainland. I imagine, without of course having had an opportunity of referring to the authorities in Malaya, that its supporters, such as they are, are drawn from different races and communities.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKArising out of that answer, will the noble Earl assure the House that if such representations are made by Penang, they will be carefully and fully considered by His Majesty's Government? Further, if such representations are made by Penang, will the Government consider the desirability of re-establishing the Straits Settlements Colony with a different Constitution?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI can assure the noble Viscount that if any such representations are made to His Majesty's Government they will be seriously considered, and that any constitutional changes that might be thought desirable would attract the attention of the Government at the same time.