§ 41. Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will prevent the attempt now being made in Ceylon to secure the adoption of Sinhalese as the only official language to the exclusion of Tamil.
§ Mr. Georģe HallI am not aware that any attempt is being made in Ceylon to secure the object described by my hon. Friend. If, however, he can furnish me with further particulars, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. Thomas ReidIn view of the fact that an attempt is being made in Ceylon to oust English and displace it as an official language, and in view of the fact that most Sinhalese and Tamils either know English, or strongly desire to know English, will my right hon. Friend commend to them the example of sensible Irishmen like Burke, Swift, Shaw and O'Casey, who remain very Irish while using the tongue of the Sassenach and Shakespeare?