§ MR. POTTERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the scarcity in the island of Ceylon, as reported in the "Ceylon Times" of 7th March; whether any information has reached the Government as to the recommendations of the Commission recently appointed in Ceylon to inquire into the present working of the food taxes in that island; and, whether, as a measure of temporary relief, the Government is prepared to sanction certain proposed branch Railway extensions in order to give work to the unemployed immigrant families reported to be now suffering severe privations in Ceylon?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERThe attention of the Colonial Office has been drawn to this matter, and Lord Carnarvon has been for some time past in communication with the local authorities as to the best means of meeting the difficulties referred to. With reference to the second portion of the hon. Gentleman's Question, the Commission which has been appointed by the Governor has only recently commenced its labours, and has not yet reported. As to sanctioning certain proposed railway schemes, it is obviously impossible for Her Majesty's Government to adopt any specific scheme until it has been thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, however, roads and other 969 relief works are in contemplation, and considerable sums have been already voted for those objects. I am happy to be able to add that the reports of the general crops in the island are satisfactory, and that the emergency is only expected to be of a temporary character.