§ 37. Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recent report has been received from the Governor of Ceylon on the question of Ceylonese parents selling their children for domestic service and the conditions under which these children are employed; and will he give the House particulars?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe Secretary of State received from the Governor of Ceylon in September last the draft of an Ordinance which it was proposed to introduce in the legislative council to regulate the employment of children as domestic servants in Ceylon. I have ascertained from the Governor that the draft Ordinance has 1302 recently been read a second time in the legislative council, and has now been referred to a Select Committee, which has not yet reported.
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir.