Mr. Creech Jones:

On 24th of April, 1946, the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers announced that they wished to consult public opinion to the fullest extent possible, and that they would welcome any views or suggestions which any persons or bodies of persons in the Colony might have to make. Representations were to be submitted in writing before 31st May. Full publicity was given to this announcement in the local Press, and ample opportunity was thus given to all sections of opinion including political parties and trade unions, to express their views. The Committee's meetings were not public, but a representative of the Malayan Democratic Union attended one of the meetings and discussed with the Committee the memorandum which the Union had submitted.