106. Mr. Drihergasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many Malays who had settled in Australia have been deported by the Australian Government; and if he will request the Australian Government to allow these men to stay and work in Australia, since a number of them are married to Australian women.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI have been asked to reply. I understand that no Malays 319W who have settled in Australia and were admitted for permanent settlement have been deported. A large number of non-Europeans including between 50 and 100 Malays were admitted temporarily during the war, either as refugees or as members of the Allied Forces on the understanding that they would return to their own countries when conditions permitted, and repatriation of these is proceeding. Those already repatriated who had married Australian women have been accompanied by their wives on their return. The repatriation of these persons is a matter for the Australian Government, and it would not be possible for the United Kingdom Government to intervene in the manner suggested.