§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no provision is made for the relief of unemployed Asiatics in the Federated Malay States, whereas such provision has been made in the Straits Settlements; whether he is aware that His Majesty's High Commissioner recently declared that in Selangor the unemployed were cared for by the Kuala Lumpur sanitary board, although that board is a Government Department without control of its own finances; and whether, in view of the Federation's mounting surplus, His Majesty's Government propose to take any step to assist those whose sole relief is now private charity?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI gather that this question is based on a statement made at the meeting of the Federal Council in August last, but I am not in a position to estimate the nature and present scale of the unemployment which may exist in the State of Selangor. I am asking the High Commissioner for a report, and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive it.