MALAYAN STUDENT UNIT

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Lee Kuan Yew asked the Chief Secretary (i) what is the object of the newly-formed Malayan Student Unit in England; (ii) who made the appointment of Mr W. C. S. Corrie as head of the Unit; and (iii) what are his duties.

Mr M. P. D. Nair (in the absence of Mr Lee Kuan Yew): Question No. 1.

Mr J. D. Higham: The answer to the first part of the question is that the Unit is not, as suggested, a new organisation. It was formed in 1953 to take over the responsibilities of the Director of Colonial Scholars in the Colonial Office in respect of students from Malaya.

As regards the second part of the question, Mr Corrie was appointed by the Governments of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya to take charge of the Unit temporarily, pending a more definitive appointment.

The duties of the Unit include responsibility for placing students in centres of higher education, the administration of scholarships, arrangements for passages, reception, accommodation and welfare, the administration of the amenities fund, administrative duties in connection with all ranks of the Federation and Singapore military forces and the Royal Malayan Navy attending courses in the United Kingdom.

Mr M. P. D. Nair: Sir, could the Chief Secretary inform us whether the Government of the Federation of Malaya had consulted the Government of Singapore at the time Mr W. C. S. Corrie was appointed?

Mr Higham: Yes, Sir.