§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked whether, under the terms of the circular issued by the Colonial Office in April this year anent the establishment of probationerships from which vacancies in the Ceylon police 562 service are to be filled, only British subjects of European descent may enter for the competitive examinations; and what are the reasons for thus barring out Singhalese gentlemen who possess the necessary qualifications from competing for these positions?
§ Colonel SEELYThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. It is essential that there should be an European element in the force, and this is supplied from the examination at home. The local element, which is also necessary, is supplied by local appointments.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEDo I understand that Singhalese are still eligible to set in a competitive examination to enter for this service?
§ Colonel SEELYAs to the precise dividing line, I would wish my hon. Friend to kindly put down a question.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEIs this a new regulation which is intended to bar out native Singhalese and to reserve the whole of the police service to persons of European descent?
§ Colonel SEELYNo; there is no intention to bar out Singhalese or to reserve the whole of the police service for Europeans. The exact contrary is the case, as I said in my first answer. With regard to the dividing line, as I said, if the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him an answer.
§ Sir H. COTTONCan he say whether a Singhalese gentleman in this country is eligible for competition?
§ Colonel SEELYI am not quite sure. On that point also I require notice.