§ Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to be able to provide passages for the wives of European Government servants returning to Malaya in the near future, in view of the fact that they have been separated from their families during their period of internment.
§ Mr. George Hall1 regret that no general permission to wives of European Government servants to return to Malaya can be given until the present difficulties of providing accommodation and food have been overcome. Permission will, however, be given in individual cases after the husband's arrival in Malaya, if he is able to satisfy the administration that accommodation is available for his wife and that it will be possible for her to obtain food, the supplies of which are very limited, especially in large towns. It will be understood that rations can only be supplied from official stocks to those who, whether men or women, are occupying posts in the administration of the country or who are engaged in quasi official work. When such permission is granted passages will be provided as rapidly as the number of berths available permits.