HC Deb 01 May 1918 vol 105 c1528
10. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the President of the Ceylon Reform League is Sir P. Arunachalam, a retired Ceylon Civil servant and a member of the Ceylon Executive Council; and whether this representative of Ceylon native opinion will be consulted in any proposal to appoint a new Governor of Ceylon?

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

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

11. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received from the Ceylon Reform League any protest against the proposed appointment of Sir Hugh Clifford as Governor of Ceylon; whether he is aware that the late Sir J. Anderson as Governor was regarded with great confidence and was popular with the whole native population, and that Sir Hugh Clifford is regarded as unsympathetic; and whether he will now announce that there is no intention of appointing Sir Hugh Clifford?

Mr. HEWINS

The hon. Member will now be aware, from public announcements, that His Majesty has approved the appointment of Sir William Manning as Governor of Ceylon in succession to Sir John Anderson.

Mr. KING

May I ask whether the policy of Sir John Anderson will be continued, at the definite wish of the Government, by the new Governor?

Mr. HEWINS

That question does not arise out of the answer.

Mr. KING

I will put it down.

Back to