HC Deb 29 March 1933 vol 276 cc985-6
9. Sir JOHN HASLAM

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Colonies under his jurisdiction besides Ceylon have failed to implement the Ottawa Agreements; and what further steps he proposes to take to bring them into line with the rest of the Empire?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The only other Colonies besides Ceylon are the Cayman Islands, where the matter is still under consideration, and Malta.

Mr. MANDER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many departures there have been by this country from the Ottawa Agreements?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

None, that I am aware of.

Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASS

May I ask how long this is going to be under consideration?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The Cayman Islands are not very large, but I think their Assembly meets once a year, and I believe it expresses its opinion by acclamation.

Sir J. HASLAM

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question? What further steps does he propose to take?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

That question refers to Ceylon, and my hon. Friend will be aware of the telegram which, with the approval of my colleagues, I sent to the Governor to communicate to Ministers in Ceylon. That communication stated that His Majesty's Government here must be free when the time came to review the whole question of Ceylonese preference.

Forward to