§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Supreme Court of Ceylon, when dealing recently with several cases affecting the land, ruled that the acts of the Government agents in the administration of the Governor's Ordinance, No. 1 of 1897, were illegal and invalid; but that the Governor, Sir West Ridgway, instead of accepting this ruling, is endeavouring to enact an amending Ordinance affecting the rights and liberties of Her Majesty's subjects 1143 in the Colony; and if he will consider the expediency of taking such steps as may be necessary to prevent the amending Ordinance being passed into law?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)The Supreme Court of Ceylon held that certain proceedings of the Government agents under the Ordinance, No. 1 of 1897, did not comply with the provisions of the Ordinance and were consequently invalid. As to the amending Ordinance, I may refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Question of the Member for North Manchester on the 10th instant.