HL Deb 08 July 1954 vol 188 cc527-30

2.36 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg to ask Her Majesty's Government a Question of which I have given them private notice. The Question is, whether they have any statement to make on developments in the present constitutional position in Malaya, as reported in the Press this morning.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, I am glad to be able to announce that after the High Commissioner had explained the course he intends to pursue when he appoints the nominated reserve members, to whom reference is made in paragraph 31 of the Election Committee Report, the leaders of the Alliance have stated that they are prepared to co-operate with, and participate in, the Government at all levels as before. I will, with the permission of the House, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the letters exchanged between the High Commissioner and Tunku Abdul Rahman on behalf of the Alliance, in which this agreement was reached. Briefly, it is the intention of the High Commissioner to consult the leaders of the majority Party or Parties among the elected members before making appointments to the five reserved seats.

I should like to thank the noble Lord for his courtesy in having acceded to my request to postpone his earlier Question on this matter, in order not to prejudice the success of the discussions in Malaya which were then nearing their conclusion.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I should like to congratulate all concerned in bringing about this most satisfactory result, and, in particular, Her Majesty's Government, the High Commissioner and the leaders of the Alliance. I am sure that the noble Earl, Lord Munster, will agree that Her Majesty's Opposition in both Houses have also worked untiringly with the same purpose in view.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

Yes, my Lords; I concur heartily with the words the noble Lord has just spoken.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I should like to ask the noble Earl whether what he has said does not mean that the discussions in Malaya about the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry into the Constitution of the Federal Legislature will be discontinued.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, if the noble Earl will await the publication of the letters in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see that that is a matter which is coming up for discussion between the High Commissioner and their Highnesses, I think on the 15th of this month.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

I thank the noble Earl.

Following is the text of the letters exchanged between the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya and Tunku Abdul Rahman:

A. Text of letter from the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya to Tunku Abdul Rahman, dated 6th July, 1954 As a result of my recent discussions with you, Colonel H. S. Lee and Dr. Ismail, I am writing to clarify the coursed I intend to pursue when appointing 'nominated reserve' members, to whom reference is made in paragraph 31 of the Election Committee Report. These members are not to be appointed by me until the election is completed and the appointments are to be made in the light of the result of that election. Apart from officials, whom all are agreed should fill two of these seats, the primary purpose of these members is to give a voice in the Council to any important element which had not found adequate representation in the Council through the electoral process. In giving effect to this purpose it would, I believe, be inappropriate for me to send these representatives into the Council to oppose the policy of the majority among the elected members; indeed this might well be regarded as thwarting or frustrating the wishes of the electors as expressed at the polls and as being inconsistent with promotion of that harmony and close identity between the Legislature as a whole and the Executive, which the Election Committee unanimously indicated in paragraph 106 of their Report should be the constant aim of the High Commissioner. The purpose of these seats, as well as the basic intention of the Constitution, will, I believe, be more readily and appropriately achieved by filling these scats with representatives chosen for the purposes indicated in paragraph 31 of the Report, who are not likely to find themselves out of harmony with major political opinion in the Council as reflected among the elected members, and consequently less able to inform and guide that opinion effectively. It is therefore my intention to consult the leaders of the majority party or parties among the elected members before making appointments to these seats. I hope that with this statement of intention, you will find yourself able to co-operate in the establishment of the new constitutional arrangements arid to give your support to legislative measures which will give effect to the proposals contained in Federal Council Paper No. 21 of 1954.

B. Text of letter from Tunku Abdul Rahman to the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya also dated 6th July, 1954 I have to thank you for your communication in regard to the course which you intend to pursue on the introduction of elections in appointing 'nominated reserve' members, which I have communicated to my colleagues. In view of this statement we are satisfied that the proposed constitutional arrangements have a reasonable prospect of working satisfactorily and the Alliance is therefore prepared to extend its support to the establishment of these arrangements and to co-operate and participate with the Government at all levels as before. We therefore trust that for this purpose members of the Alliance will be reappointed to the various councils, boards and committees of which they were previously members. But in this connection you will appreciate our concern that all our members who have resigned should be afforded the same consideration in order to ensure co-operation at all levels. We do, however, feel that there are other aspects of the Federation Agreement as it stands which merit further consideration and we understand that it will be Your Excellency's intention to discuss with Their Highnesses the Rulers on 15th July the request of the Alliance for a Commission to report on these matters.

C. Text of letter from the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya to Tunku Abdul Rahman, dated 7th July, 1954 I have to thank you for your letter of 6th July on the subject of constitutional arrangements to provide for the introduction of elec- tions and am glad to receive your assurance that the Alliance will give its support to the establishment of these arrangements, together with an expression of its wish to co-operate and participate with the Government as before. In the circumstances I hope that the status quo before the resignations will be restored as soon as possible so that the Alliance may be able to give this support and co-operation. But as resignations have extended to councils, boards and committees in the States, it will be necessary for me to consult Their Highnesses the Rulers in this regard and I intend to take the first opportunity of doing so.