§ 28. Major GRAHAM POLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give information concerning the steps being contemplated by the Government of Ceylon with a view to putting into effect the requirements in respect of Indian immigrant labourers on the plantations in Ceylon, made by the Government of India and originally embodied in the Medical Wants Ordinance, which was dropped by the Ceylon 386 Government after its second reading in the Ceylon Legislative Council in 1926?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe Government of Ceylon appointed a committee in 1927 to consider and advise on the whole question. The report of that committee was published in July last, and its recommendations which involved certain amendments in the law were carefully considered by the Governor in Executive Council. The main proposal involved the transference to general revenue of the cost of medical treatment of estate labourers, which is at present met from a special cess on estate products. It was felt that the proposals went further than was necessary or possible at the present time. The Ceylon Government found itself in general agreement with the views expressed by the Director of Medical Services in his rider to the report, and decided to take no action on the recommendations involving fresh legislation.
§ 29. Major POLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information in regard to the rate of maternal mortality among the Indian plantation labourers in Ceylon?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe rate of maternal mortality among the wives of Indian plantation labourers on scheduled estates in Ceylon during the year 1929 was 20.6 per thousand births. The corresponding figures in this respect for 1930 have not yet been received.