§ 38. Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the request from the Government of Ceylon asking him to protest against Japanese restrictions on the importation of tea and fibre; and what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have seen a report in the Press to the effect that such a request is on its way to me, but I have not so far received it.
66. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for the issue of the recent Order in Council giving the Governor of Ceylon special powers to enact such legislative measures as he may consider necessary, seeing that the Order is inconsistent with the Government's policy of developing fuller responsible self-government in Ceylon?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe amending Order in Council is intended to clarify the Government's special powers, and to simplify the procedure for their exercise on the lines of the relevant section of the Government of India. Act. It was rendered necessary by the persistent attempts of the State Council to encroach on the powers given to the Governor on the recommendation of the Special Commission of 1928.
Mr. Creech JonesDoes not the Order in Council limit the privileges and powers of the Legislative Council; and is not this fact causing considerable uneasiness among Members of the Council?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI believe that some of them do not like it, but this is meant to make clear what was intended by the Donoughmore Commission. In practice, what was intended has not been followed. This is a comparatively small matter, and the Order in Council is for the purpose of making quite clear what is the logical intention of the constitution.