§ Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Secretary of State for War if the British military administration in Malaya has set up any machinery by which it can keep in touch with public opinion in Malaya, and can details of this machinery be given.
§ Mr. BellengerAn Advisory Council has been established in Singapore Island with the object of associating the people in the work of the military administration to the fullest extent practicable by keeping the latter in close contact with the needs of the people and with public opinion. As its name implies, the council is advisory in its functions, and is convened to enable the senior officers of the administration to discuss frankly the problems of the island with leading and responsible representatives of all schools of thought. The council is invited to discuss with the administration matters of general, financial, economic and administrative policy, and to give its advice on them. With a similar object in view. Regional Advisory Councils have been established in the Malay Peninsula. The officers in charge of Regions are left a wide discretion regarding the composition of councils which are set up, and the procedure followed by them. I understand thatad hoc committees constituted for particular purposes are providing the most promising line of approach.