§ 80. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been made by the Federal Administration in Malaya to the offer of Dato Sir Cheng Lock Tan to approach the Communist terrorist forces with a view to ending the fighting in Malaya.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe offer was not made to the Government but was announced in the Press in connection with the U.M.N.O./M.C.A. Alliance's proposals for an amnesty. These proposals were later discussed in the Director of Operations Committee when leading members of the Alliance were present. The Committee agreed unanimously that no general amnesty should be offered and that the present surrender policy which embodies a very real measure of amnesty, should continue and greater efforts be made to induce the remaining terrorists to take advantage of it.