HC Deb 01 April 1947 vol 435 cc298-9W
Mr. Sorensen

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, if he will make a further statement regarding the Panglong Agreement relating to the frontier areas of Burma.

Mr. A. Henderson

The text of the Agreement was given in my reply to the question of my hon. Friend on 17th February. The Governor has now satisfied himself that the Agreement is acceptable to the Shans, Kachins and Chins, whose representatives signed the Agreement. In accordance with the Governor's recommendation, which has the support of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, who was present at the Panglong Conference as an observer, His Majesty's Government have signified their approval of the Agreement and steps are being taken forthwith to put it into operation. In pursuance of this a Shan, the Sawbwa of Mong Pawn, has been appointed to officiate as, one of His Excellency the Governor's Counsellors, and Deputy Counsellors have also been nominated to represent the Kachins and Chins. The Sawbwa of Mong Pawn will also be ex officio member of His Excellency the Governor's Executive Council, the meetings of which the Deputy Counsellors will be invited to attend when subjects pertaining to the Frontier Areas are discussed.

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