HC Deb 24 July 1918 vol 108 c1786
16. Mr. MORRELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a memorial has been received from Sir P. Arunchalam and Mr. E. J. Samerawickrame on behalf of the Ceylon Reform League and the Ceylon National Association asking for certain reforms with a view to the grant of a measure of responsible government for Ceylon; whether an answer, and, if so, what answer has been returned to the memorialists; and whether the Government will meet the demand for responsible government put forward by the people of Ceylon by extending to Ceylon the same reforms as are now proposed by the Secretary of State and the Governor-General for India?

The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)

I duly received the memorial, but only a formal acknowledgment was made pending the receipt of the observations of Sir John Anderson, which he did not live to complete. I have also received memorials from other sections of opinion in Ceylon, supporting different proposals. I shall give all these views my careful consideration, but I do not propose to form any conclusions until the time is more opportune for a full examination of the difficult questions involved, and until I have received the views of the new Governor.

Mr. MORRELL

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether there is anything which makes a consideration of reforms in Ceylon at the present time any less opportune than the consideration of reforms in India's administration?

Mr. HEWINS

I do not think that question is involved in the question on the Paper, and I do not propose to answer it.