§ Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that his decision that free return passages will not be available to planters and their wives returning to Malaya after 31st December, 1946, except in special circumstances approved by the Malayan Government, is causing great anxiety to those planters and their wives who have not yet been able to return because of their health, inability to find re-employment, or because of lack of accommodation; and whether he will make an early announcement giving an assurance that the date will be extended in all reasonable cases.
Mr. Creech JonesIt is probable that all who are eligible for free return passages to Malaya will be offered accommodation in ships sailing before the end of December. Where good reason can be shown for inability to accept any such offer, the question of providing a free passage at a later date will receive sympathetic consideration but refusal, without adequate reason, of the accommodation offered will naturally entail forfeiture of the claims to a free passage.