HL Deb 29 July 1964 vol 260 cc1090-1

2.37 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, I beg leave 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 are able to give any information in regard to the riots which took place last week in Singapore.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, the situation in Singapore is, of course, a matter for the Malaysian Government. I understand that communal rioting broke out on July 21, following an incident involving a procession held in connection with Mahomet's birthday. Sporadic incidents also took place on the following three days. Total casualties are reported to have been 21 dead and about 460 injured. Multi-racial good will committees have, as noble Lords will have read in the Press, been set up throughout Singapore and in many places in Malaya. We have heard to-day that the situation in Singapore is rapidly returning to normal.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, may I thank the noble Marquess for his Answer? I am sure we all express our sympathy with the Malaysian Government in these unfortunate events. I do not know whether the noble Marquess can confirm my impression that these have been probably the most serious disorders which have taken place in Singapore since the Japanese invasion; secondly, that there is at law no discrimination of any kind on grounds of race or religion, and that administratively the political leaders do their utmost to ensure that no discrimination is shown in administrative action.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, we on this side of the House fully endorse what the noble Earl has said about the multiracial society in Malaysia, and very much regret the incidents that have occurred. Could the noble Marquess say whether there is any information that Indonesian influence has been at work in Singapore which might have been one of the causes of this occurrence?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I would heartily concur with the observations of my noble friend Lord Selkirk. As regards the question put to me by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, I do not know the answer, but, of course, President Soekarno has made it apparent that he is prepared to use any means at all to crush Malaysia.