asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from chambers of commerce or other commercial bodies in Malaya or Singapore concerning the recent agreement for direct trade between this country and Indonesia.

None, Sir, but I understand that the chambers of commerce have made certain representations to the Governor of Singapore.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the negotiation by the Board of Trade of a bilateral agreement which harms the trade of Singapore to a great extent, without prior consultation with the local interests, is a very bad practice, and upsets the whole of the local administration.

I really cannot accept that suggestion because my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade told the hon. Member on 3rd May exactly what the purport of these conversations was and that it was not such as would in any way interfere with the entrepôt trade of Singapore.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that whatever the purport may have been the result of not taking local people into consultation has been very bad and inimical to the local interests of all races.

I have not had any evidence of that.