§ 16. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the ten cases of shooting without trial after the Ceylon riots which are dealt with in Sir John Anderson's dispatch of 26th May are cases taken from a single district of the island and are only a small proportion of the outrages that in fact occurred; and whether, in the interests of justice, he will direct that a general inquiry should now be held, so that adequate reparation may be made to the widows and relatives of those who have suffered?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)I am aware that all the cases of shooting investigated by the local Commission of Inquiry took place in one area. But many other allegations of illegal shooting have been examined by the Governor, who has furnished Reports to the Secretary of State; and these ten cases were picked out by my predecessor as alone demanding further inquiry, since he was satisfied that in the other cases the facts were not as alleged by the petitioners, and that the firing that took place was justified by grave disorder actually existing at the time. I see no reason for further inquiry, and I have confidence that Sir John Anderson will grant reparation in all proper cases.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, with regard to these ten cases, the Government has stated repeatedly that there was no foundation for the allegations made; is it not, therefore, likely that with regard to the other cases where similar allegations have been made that the denial of foundation for them is equally fallacious?
§ Mr. HEWINSWell, we have gone into all these cases with the greatest care, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the situation is as I have described it.
§ Mr. L. JONESDoes my hon. Friend realise that over 200 people are in prison serving sentences inflicted under similar procedure to that which these people were dealt with; if. so far as we know, no investigation has been made in their case, 363 is it the purpose of the Government not to hold an investigation into these other cases?
§ Mr. HEWINSI have fully dealt with the case in reply to two or three recent questions. I do not think I have anything to add.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISDid not the hon. Gentleman's predecessor inquire and report on all these charges?
§ Mr. HEWINSThat question has been raised on several occasions and has been replied to.
§ Mr. HEWINSI think it has been properly answered.
§ 17. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. John George Fraser, C.M.G., who was appointed a Special Commissioner for the Western Province to inquire into the Ceylon riots, issued a public Proclamation, dated 10th June, 1915, in which he stated that persons not obeying orders will be shot at sight; whether he is also aware that similar Proclamations were issued by the Government agents in other provinces, and that as the direct result of these Proclamations, which were interpreted by the subordinate officers as a commission to administer lynch law and other outrages committed, a large number of persons were shot without charge or trial; and whether any steps will be taken to bring home to Mr. Fraser his responsibility in the matter?
§ Mr. HEWINSI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my predecessor on the 14th November, 1916, and to the replies to similar questions by the hon. Member for Westmeath on the 23rd April last, and on other occasions. I cannot admit the accuracy of the hon. Gentleman's allegations, and I know of no reason for attributing to Mr. Fraser any responsibility in regard to the cases of illegal shooting which have formed the subject of inquiry.
§ Mr. MORRELLHas the hon. Gentleman read the evidence of the Commission appointed by Sir John Anderson, and is he aware that in the evidence it is stated again and again that the people who committed these illegal acts did so because they thought they were justified under the Proclamations issued by Mr. Fraser
§ Mr. HEWINSI have read not only the Papers to which my hon. Friend alludes,. but I have read all the Papers.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWould it not be possible to get Lord Bryce to issue a judicial. report on these atrocities?
§ Mr. HEWINSI do not think any further report is necessary.
§ Mr. RAFFANDoes the hon. Gentleman propose to act on the Report he has. received?
§ Mr. HEWINSWe have been acting. upon it all the time.