Page:Cabinet federation of malaya 21-02-1956.pdf/28

280

The Comittee considered the establishment, composition and terms of reference of a Constitutional Commission in the light of the proposals submitted by the Malayan Delegation.

-

(18) In view of the Malayan Delegation's desire that independence and full self-government within the Commonwealth should be proclaimed by August, 1957, if possible, a constitution so providing should be introduced at the earliest possible date consistent with the importance of the task before the Constitutional Commission and every effort should be made by Her Majesty's Government and the Federation Government to achieve this by the time proposed. A Paragraph to this effect should be inserted in the Report of the Conference.

(19)The Constitutional Commission should be a small body selected by the Scretary of State for the Colonies in agreement with the Conference of Rulers and the Alliance Ministers. It should have a United Kingdom Chairman and in addition to the Chairman one member from each of the following Commonwealth countries :-


 * Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

(20)The Secretary of State should be invited to approach the Governments concerned requesting them to put forward the names of suitable persons.

(21)The Constitutional Commission should be appointed in the name of Her Majesty The Queen and Their Highnesses the Rulers.

(22)The terms of reference of the Constitutional Commission should be as follows:-


 * "To examine the present constitutional arrangements throughout the Federation of Malaya, taking into account the positions and dignities of Her Majesty The Queen and of Their Highnesses the Rulers: and


 * To make recommendations for a federal form of constitution for the whole country as a single, independent, self-governing unit within the Commonwealth based on Parliamentary democracy with a bi-cameral legislature, which would include provision for:-