ANNEX C
NOTES ON THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE
I.GENERAL
As a result of the Conference, constitutional development in the Federation of Malaya over the next few years will pass through two phases. The first phase, which the Report of the Conference refers to as "the interim period", is that before the Federation attains full self-government within the Commonwealth. The second phase is that following the attainment of full self-government within the Commonwealth. It will be convenient to deal with the conclusions and recommendations of the Conference under these two heads.
II.THE INTERIM PERIOD
(1) The High Commissioner's Powers (Annex A, Appendix C, paragraph 32).
- (a) The Reserved Legislative Power
- This remains unchanged.
- (b) The Reserved Executive Power
- The High Commissioner will in future act on the advice of the Executive Council unless he considers it expedient in the interest of public order, public faith or good government to reject their advice. Before acting contrary to their advice he must obtain the prior approval of the Secretary of State, and give the Chief Minister an opportunity to make representations to the Secretary of State, unless he considers that the interests of public order, public faith or good government are too urgent, in which case he may act against the advice of the Executive Council without any prior approval. These arrangements do not apply to matters relating to external defence and external affairs, in which the High Commissioner will retain complete discretion.
(2) Defence and Internal Security (Annex A, paragraphs 7-24).
- (a) Defence
Responsibility for external defence will remain entirely with the High Commissioner, but in order to prepare for the assumption by the Federation Government of responsibility for external defence, there will during the interim period be an External Defence Committee, including Malayan Ministers, with the High Commissioner as Chairman, to discuss matters relating to the external defence of the Federation. It will have no executive powers and will be purely advisory to the High Commissioner.
- (b) Internal Security
A Malayan Minister for Internal Defence and Security will assume responsibility for the administration of the police force and the Federation armed forces. So long as the Emergency continues, operational command
-1-
