asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the low price of Malayan rubber, immediate aid by way of payment for war damage compensation will be paid to planters, who are facing serious financial difficulties.

It is one of the conditions of His Majesty's Government's recent final offer of financial assistance towards the Malayan War Damage Compensation Scheme that an early start should be made with the scheme. No awards can, however, be made until the scheme, which is under consideration by the Malayan Governments, has been accepted by the local Legislatures.