Civil Service (Appointments)

Oral Answers to Questions — Malaya and Singapore – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 25 May 1949.

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Photo of Mr Woodrow Wyatt Mr Woodrow Wyatt , Birmingham Aston 12:00, 25 May 1949

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese in Singapore occupy posts in the Colonial Administrative Service equivalent to grades 1b and 1a in the Malayan Civil Service; and how many Chinese in Singapore occupy posts of any higher status.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams , Croydon South

At the present time there are no Chinese occupying such posts.

Photo of Mr Woodrow Wyatt Mr Woodrow Wyatt , Birmingham Aston

Will my hon. Friend take into account the widespread dissatisfaction among Chinese in Singapore that none of them can get into any worth while post in the Civil Service? Is it not time that a public service commission was established so that they can do so?

Photo of Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams , Croydon South

I do not accept that view about feeling in Singapore, but the creation of a public service commission to facilitate the recruitment of local people has been agreed upon.

Photo of Mr Woodrow Wyatt Mr Woodrow Wyatt , Birmingham Aston

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Malays are serving as staff officers or have been appointed to staff appointments or are in grades 1b or 1a of the Malayan Civil Service.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams , Croydon South

In January, 1949, there were two Malays in Class 1b of the Malayan Civil Service and one in Class 1a. There were no Malays of staff rank in the Administrative Service.

Photo of Mr Woodrow Wyatt Mr Woodrow Wyatt , Birmingham Aston

Will my hon. Friend explain how we propose to implement our pledge to give self-government to Malaya and the Colony of Singapore if we do not allow the inhabitants of the country to take over some of the chief posts in the Civil Service?

Photo of Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams , Croydon South

My hon. Friend does not realise, or rather I am sure that he does realise but has not given full weight to, the fact that Malaya has a federal constitution and that practically all the posts in the State service are already staffed by Malays. It is our intention to bring the people of the country ever more into these posts of an important nature.

Photo of Mr Woodrow Wyatt Mr Woodrow Wyatt , Birmingham Aston

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officials are employed in the Malayan Department of the Colonial Office; and how many of these officials have ever visited Malaya.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams Lieut-Colonel David Rees-Williams , Croydon South

Excluding junior staff, there are six officers in the Eastern Division who deal with Malayan affairs. Two of them have visited Malaya. In addition 14 members of the senior staff of other sections of the office, which are also concerned with aspects of Malayan affairs, have visited the territory.