§ SIR DAVID WEDDERBURNasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of the Colonial Office has been recently directed to the necessity for constitutional reforms in Ceylon, especially to the desire for a more genuine representation of the people in the Legislative Council, and to the religious grievance involved in the existing system of ecclesiastical subsidies?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThere has been no recent correspondence on the subject; but the constitution of the Legislative Council of Ceylon has been at various times under consideration, and it has not been thought desirable to alter the system under which unofficial Members are at present appointed to the Legislative Council. In selecting gentlemen to be recommended for such appointments, the Governor pays special attention to the views and wishes of the classes (planters and natives) to be represented. The decision has been taken to discontinue the ecclesiastical grants. Papers on the subject will shortly be presented.