HC Deb 27 November 1947 vol 444 cc316-8W
Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has yet received from the Governor of the Malayan Union the proposals for the further education and training of members of locally enlisted Forces referred to in his letter of 9th June to the hon. Member for Hornsey; and if he has any statement to make on the subject.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The Governor of the Malayan Union has reported that inquiries made in that territory have failed to produce any members of the locally enlisted Forces who can claim to be entitled to the benefits of a further education scheme designed to assist those who were prevented from beginning, or suffered interruption in, their careers due to military service. In the absence of local candidates the Governor does not propose to institute a local scheme. Particulars of five applications which have been received from ex-members of Malayan local Forces, who are at present in the United Kingdom, have been forwarded to the Governors of Singapore and the Malayan Union with the suggestion that the applicants should be interviewed on behalf of those Governments by the Panel which functions in connection with the Colonial Office Further Education Vocational Training Scheme. If that were done, the Panel would submit recommendations for the Governors' consideration. The local Governments could then consider the provision of assistance ad hoc if the cases merited such treatment. The five candidates in question are not eligible for the benefits of the Colonial Office scheme as they have not served in the United Kingdom. I understand that they could be considered under the United Kingdom scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and National Service if they intend to follow careers in this country.