§ 90. Mr. SPOORasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to include the Indian immigrant labourers in the electorate for the Indian seat in the proposed scheme of constitutional reform for Ceylon; if so, what is the total number of such labourers; the probable number of them qualified to vote; and the total number of Indians other than immigrant labourers in the island?
§ The UNDER SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)Definite proposals for the Indian electorate will not be laid before the Secretary of State until the matter has been examined on the spot after the return of the Governor to Ceylon. I am therefore not at present in a position to make any statement in the matter.
§ Mr. SPOORAre we to understand that before these franchise arrangements are finally decided on they will be considered by this House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYIt is a very small matter indeed: it is a question of settling the details of the way in which the Indian immigrants shall have the vote.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that this giving the franchise to Indians in Ceylon will not be made a matter of enfranchising the rich merchants in Ceylon but will include immigrant labour as well as the merchant classes.
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI assume the same conditions will apply in each case.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTDo I understand that the Government are not yet in a position to state all their proposals? I Shall we have them definitely before the House for discussion before they are put into effect?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe general proposals are within the knowledge of the House. This is only a question as to the exact way in which the Indian immigrant population can secure the franchise.
Sir J. D. REESHave the Indian immigrant population made any representations on their own behalf that they desire to participate in this reform?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI am not sure of the facts, but whether they have or not, it is desirable they should have some say under the new constitution.
Sir J. D. REESAlthough they come over to Ceylon in large numbers they are not a resident population.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it the desire of the Government to establish all these various interests, in order that one may compete with the other? Is not that a communal basis?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe hon. Member must not assume that.