§ 15. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the petition of the best educated and most influential native gentlemen in Ceylon for an impartial English commission of inquiry into the treatment of the Sinhalese in connection with the disturbances of last summer has ever been submitted to and considered by the present Cabinet; if so, whether the members were unanimous in refusing the prayer of the petition and in declaring all the depositions by which it was supported to be false; why have not proceedings for perjury been taken against the deponents; and whether this latter 2726 decision is on the advice of Sir Robert Chalmers, then Governor of Ceylon, now Under-Secretary for Ireland?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)I have received a petition, to which I assume the hon. Member refers, and the action which, for reasons already stated, I have taken upon it has been taken with the knowledge and approval of the Cabinet.