61. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any legislation has been introduced or is in course of preparation in Ceylon, to implement the recommendation of the joint sub-committee of the Executive Committee of Home Affairs and Education, subsequently approved by the State Council and noted by the Slavery Committee of the League of Nations to the effect that persons taking charge of unwanted infants should be registered as custodians, and that children and girls under 16 years of age employed outside their districts, or more than 10 miles from home, should be registered?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI understand that Bills have been prepared by Ceylonese Ministers dealing with the questions of the adoption of children and of the registration of domestic servants. I have not yet seen these Bills and am not aware what progress has been made with them.
Mr. Creech JonesIn view of the fact that the ordinance which has now been publicly announced does not include the registration of custodians or the registration of children in domestic employment away from their homes, and as the second Bill will not deal with this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to widen the present ordinance so as to cover these two omissions?
Mr. MacDonaldI have asked the Governor for a report on the matter, but these are subjects which come under the control of the Ceylonese Ministry over which I have no power.