§ 17. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of cases of cruelty under the 935 system of adoption in Ceylon; and whether it is proposed now to issue an ordinance covering the conditions under which adoption may in future take place?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy attention has been drawn to the allegation that cases of cruelty occur under the system of adoption in Ceylon. The question of child adoption has recently been under consideration, in connection with the general question of the employment of children and young women, by a subcommittee of the Executive Committee of Home Affairs; but the sub-committee's report has not yet been published and I am not at this stage in a position to say what action will be taken upon it.