§ Mr. H. JOHNSTONEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if, in view 68W of the increasing weight of supply of plantation rubber from the Netherlands East Indies and the diminishing output of British Malaya, he will consider recommending to the Governments of the Federated Malay States and of the Straits Settlements the repeal of the ordinances restricting the crop of rubber?
Mr. THOMASThe legislation to which the hon. Member refers provides for the restriction of the export, not the crop, of rubber. I do not contemplate the reversal of my predecessors' policy in the matter. Nor am I aware of any substantial body of opinion either at home or in Malaya that advocates such repeals.