§ 35. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the despatch of the Governor of 1282 Ceylon on the recommendations of the Donoughmore Commission will be published; whether he will now state the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to reform of the constitution of Ceylon, or, if the Secretary of State is still considering the matter, will he give an undertaking that no action will be taken before Parliament reassembles after the Recess; and whether steps are being taken to prolong the life of the existing legislature in Ceylon?
§ Mr. LUNNThe Governor's despatch is now under consideration, and it is the intention that it should be published in due course with the Secretary of State's reply, when the latter is in the Governor's hands. Steps are being taken to prolong the life of the Legislative Council, which otherwise would be dissolved in September. It will clearly be impossible for any constitutional change to be carried into effect before the House reassembles.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREDo I understand that the Governor's despatch and the reply of the Secretary of State will probably be published during the Parliamentary Recess?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut we are certain they will be published?
§ Mr. LUNNI cannot give any guarantee just now, but, if the right hon. Gentleman puts down a question to me, I will give him an answer.