43. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies 816 whether he is aware that, as a result of the election of Prince Aggambe Manisulla to be Sultan of the Maldive Islands, grave disturbances have taken place; whether he will consider the appointment of a British resident officer for a limited period in order to investigate the present position with a view to adjusting the machinery of government, thus avoiding despotism and exploitation of the inhabitants; and whether he is in a position to make a statement in regard to the present situation of the Sultan Muhammed Shams-ud-Din, who was deposed on 2nd October after the reign of 32 years, and his son?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The Governor of Ceylon has reported to me the election of the Prince in question as Sultan of the Maldive Islands. He has also reported to me that the representative of the Maldivian Government in Ceylon has informed him that the ex-Sultan and his son have accepted the position and are living quietly at Malé, the capital of the Islands; that the election was universally popular, and that the report of disturbances was unfounded.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONCan my right hon. Friend say what is the population of the Maldive Islands?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir, 79,300.