§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)In the absence of my hon. Friend the Member for North East Manchester, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Ceylon has decided to abolish the Road Tax in that colony; and, if not, what measures have been taken, or will be taken, to remove the character of the moans by which it has, in many cases, been enforced in the past—namely, imprisonment, &c, &c.?
MR. S.BUXTONThe Government of Ceylon is not prepared at the present time to entertain the question of abolishing the Road Tax. The Governor, who was lately in this country, and was personally consulted on the subject, is giving special attention to the working of the law, and instructions have been issued by the Secretary of State on various points of detail in its administration. The latest Returns show a large and satisfactory diminution in the number of persons imprisoned.