§ 9. Viscount SANDONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has had any Report on the assault near Colombo on. a, party of tourists from a visiting ship; whether there is any precedent in recent years for attacks of this character; whether there are any special implications to be drawn from 630 what occurred other than of a merely criminal character; how it was that the police v. ere not alive to this danger or capable of affording protection; whether any inquiry will be held other than the routine criminal proceedings; and what action is being taken as to the case?
§ Mr. AMERY.I have not yet received any report from the Governor in the matter. I am not aware that any similar occurrence has been known in Colombo in recent years, and I am satisfied that the Ceylon Police Force is an efficient body and quite capable of maintaining order in normal circumstances. I shall await the Governor's recommendations before deciding whether any special inquiry is desirable.