HL Deb 29 June 1954 vol 188 cc93-5
LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will request the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya to arrange in the near future a meeting between the High Commissioner, Their Highnesses the Rulers, and the leaders of the UMNO/MCA Alliance in order to try and resolve satisfactorily the present differences of opinion regarding constitutional developments in Malaya.]

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

My Lords, while appreciating the noble Lord's desire for a solution of this difficulty, the answer to his question is in the negative. The next opportunity for discussing this matter with Their Highnesses will be at the meeting of the Conference of Rulers on July 15, when the Conference will consider the request of the Alliance for an independent Commission to examine the Constitution and other cognate questions. In view of the undesirability of prejudicing the deliberations of this Conference, I hope that the noble Lord will not press me to enlarge upon my reply at this critical stage.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for the courtesy of his reply, may I say that I do not regard questions in this House as being likely to prejudice the deliberations of the Conference—in fact, they may improve the chances of success. Therefore, may I ask him three questions? First, does he appreciate how narrow is the difference between the parties to the dispute in Malaya? Secondly, does he appreciate how vital it is to get agreement and good feeling in Malaya, in these difficult times? Thirdly, will he accept as a basis of compromise the proposal that the High Commissioner, before filling the seven specially reserved seats, should consult with the leaders of the majority Parties, bearing in mind the special purpose for which these seats were intended?

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, may I supplement my noble friend's second question by asking the noble Earl, Lord Munster, whether he can give an assurance that the Government will make every possible effort to obtain the agreement of these two important Parties in Malaya before the Federal elections take place?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, in reply to the noble Earl, the answer is certainly, Yes. The replies to the noble Lord's first two supplementary questions are also in the affirmative. As regards the third question, I should like notice of it before I give the noble Lord a definite reply.