HC Deb 03 June 1913 vol 53 cc776-8
52. Sir HERBERT ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the order recently issued by the Ceylon Government prohibiting Government officials from being members of temperance societies unless sanction has been first obtained from the head of the department concerned, which sanction is to be absolutely withheld from headmen; whether he is aware that the headmen are usually either Buddhists or Mahomedans, and that their religion enjoins abstinence and regards the teaching of temperance as a sacred duty; whether the adherents of both these religious creeds view this prohibition as an unjustifiable interference with liberty of conscience, and have stated that if persisted in it will destroy the village temperance societies throughout the island; and whether, seeing that temperance in Ceylon is a religious and social and not a political question, he will cancel this new rule and restore freedom of action to these Government officials?

53. Mr. CHARLES ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a circular has been officially issued to Government servants in Ceylon under which any public servant who wishes to join a total abstinence society or temperance society must first obtain the consent of the head of his department, and public servants in any case are not to be allowed to take part in the management or public meetings of such societies, and administrative officers such as headmen are not to be allowed to join; and, if so, whether he can account for this official discouragement of temperance?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)

I am awaiting a dispatch on this subject from the officer administering the Government for Which I have asked; after its arrival shall consider the whole question and will acquaint the hon. Members with my decision.

Mr. C. ROBERTS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has power to cancel this rule?

Mr. HARCOURT

I rather fancy I have power to cancel any rule.

Mr. LEIF JONES

Will my right hon. Friend consider the propriety of suspending the operation of this circular, which is immediately applicable to temperance societies until he and the House has had an opportunity of considering the matter?

Mr. HARCOURT

I really do not think it would be right for me to suspend anything until I have information from the officers administering the Government.

Mr. LEIF JONES

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain that information by cable, seeing that injury is being done daily so long as the circular is in operation?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have called for the information, but I think the reply will come by mail.