§ MR. WATKINsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Colonial Office has been informed of the failure of the Crops in Ceylon, and of the dying out of large numbers of the Native population; and, whether it is proposed to institute any inquiry, or to take any special measures to meet the scarcity of food?
MR. ADDBRLEYsaid, in reply, that no information had been received by the Government of the failure of the crops in Ceylon, and of the dying of large numbers of the population. They had, however, heard of a great drought in the island; but it was not attended by the consequences suggested in the Question.