capable of being misunderstood, and that they were, in fact, misunderstood in Brunei. Unfortunately, such things happen.
It is possible that if Her Majesty's Government had used their protecting powers to hold the hands of the Brunei delegation more firmly, misunderstandings which started at an early stage of the talks might have been removed as they arose; but it cannot be held against Her Majesty's Government that they wished the Brunei to make their own decision without influence, which, had it been exercised, might itself have provoked misunderstanding. So, for the moment, I would prefer to leave it at that, as the decision has already been announced by the Sultan in Brunei—a decision which, as Her Majesty's Government will know from the High Commissioner, was received there with enthusiasm, rather than with regret.
I am sure that Her Majesty's Government will give every sympathy and assistance to His Highness when he comes to present his plans (I believe next week) for constitutional progress in Brunei. The working of our relationship in the light of the coming into being of the new Federation will also need to be reviewed at this meeting. We may hope, I think, that after a period of friendly co-operation between Brunei and the Federation the representatives of Brunei may be ready to reopen discussions with new confidence and conviction of benefit both to the Federation and to Brunei. After all, the advantages to Malaysia would be considerable. A yearly contribution of 40 million dollars to the Federation was agreed. Brunei has already invested in Malayan developments, and could do much more under proper safeguards. Malaya is short of money for development and is at this moment, as we have heard, raising £5 million on the London market. I fear that the failure to attract Brunei into the Federation will involve a heavier financial burden upon this country than would otherwise have been necessary. As one or two noble Lords have already mentioned, a report on the financial position in the Federation was recently made by M. Jacques Rueff, at the request of the World Bank. I have not been able to obtain a copy of this report here, and I wonder whether a copy could be made available to us in this House.
In concluding, may I say that I am sure that Her Majesty's Government will give every assistance possible, both to Malaysia and to Brunei? The Sultan told me that it was his wish that relations between Brunei and the new Federation should develop in the most friendly way. I am sure that the Government of the new Federation will respond in the same spirit and that there will soon develop an atmosphere of confidence and respect which will bring Brunei, at no distant date, into the Federation.
3.20 p.m.
LORD SHACKLETON My Lords, I think there is little more to say. The unanimity in this debate has been most striking and, indeed, the intensity of feeling of all your Lordships who are familiar with these territories has, I think, been rather moving. I was very moved by the speech of my noble friend Lord Shepherd but it has been matched by others of your Lordships, and I am surprised that we had to wait until the speech of the noble Lord, Lord Milverton, for some noble Lord to break into Malay. It is obvious that rather more than half of your Lordships who have taken part in this debate would have been able to conduct it into Malay. Unfortunately, the only Malay I can remember is the word tid 'apa, which means "never mind". It is a fact that this is a part of the world in which many people of our race have lived and for which they have a deep affection.
My first night in Singapore was actually spent in gaol; it was my 21st birthday. But this did not dim my affection for the country, and I have remained closely in contact with some of my friends there, and particularly in Sarawak. There has been a spokesman for each one of the territories—in fact, British North Borneo has had two. It was certainly the view of those of us who spent a considerable time in Sarawak that this was the incomparable territory. Without wishing to go back over the interesting historical survey of the noble Lord, Lord Twining, it is a fact that the rule of the white Rajahs was a disinterested one, in which there was a maximum degree of protection for the people, and I think Europeans in most areas were not allowed more than four miles inland. I used to think that the best two territories
