HC Deb 08 December 1954 vol 535 c42W
25. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to explain clearly to the people of Singapore and Malaya the methods of secrecy of the democratic vote in view of the fact that two out of every three electors on the roll cannot read or speak English.

Mr. Hopkinson

Both Governments intend to launch publicity campaigns in January to educate the public in electoral matters through the Press, wireless, films, public address vans, posters and leaflets.

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in Malaya have been registered as electors for the Legislative Council; what is the estimated number of persons eligible for registration; and what are the estimates of registrations among the Malayan, Chinese and Indian communities, respectively.

Mr. Hopkinson

About a million and a quarter electors have registered out of a potential electorate of about 2 million. No statistics are kept which would enable an estimate to be made of the number of registrations from each racial community.