HC Deb 24 May 1949 vol 465 cc82-3W
95. Mr. Piratin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he proposes to double the grant to Malaya from £10 million to £20 million for war damage; if this proposal will come before the House for approval before it is operated; and, in view of the substantial profits made by the tin and rubber companies, why he has imposed this burden on the taxpayer.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The answer to the first two parts of the Question was given in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Pontypool on 13th May. The third part of the Question is based on a misunderstanding of the War Damage Compensation Scheme which is now being considered in Malaya. The scheme is designed to assist in the rehabilitation of the Malayan economy as a whole, as can be seen from the correspondence with the Malayan Governments, copies of which are in the Library of the House.