59 Sir N. Stewart Sandemanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many Tamils who have acquired citizenship in Ceylon have been dismissed from Government employment?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe Ceylon Government's decision to discharge certain daily paid employés of the Government is confined to non-Ceylonese who have been engaged since 1st April, 1934. According to the Ministers' statement of policy, the status of Ceylonese is acquired for this purpose by birth in Ceylon, and Ceylonese, whether of Tamil or other extraction, are not, therefore, affected.
§ Mr. T. SmithCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these Tamils have been dismissed, and what is the real reason for the dismissal? Is there anything political in it?
Mr. MacDonaldThis may involve 'the sending back to India of anything up to 1,000 Indians. The reason for the policy that the Ministers are pursuing is that a certain amount of retrenchment is going on, and I understand that it is the policy of the Government to give preference in Government employment to Ceylonese over others who come into the island from outside.