asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to establish a unified Civil Service in Malaya; and whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in Singapore at the disparity in salary scales and conditions between the Straits Settlements Civil Service and the Malayan Civil Service.

I am aware that there is certain local dissatisfaction on this subject. I am at present awaiting the recommendations of the two Malayan Governors on the recently published report of the Salaries Commission which has completed its investigations in the Malayan Union and Singapore.