§ 44. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take in view of the disclosures of irregularities in Ceylon, in the Auditor-General's Report on Civil Defence Expenditure for 1943–44 and 1944–45; who was the Civil Defence Commissioner concerned; and what office he now holds.
Mr. Creech JonesI do not propose to take any action in this matter. The Auditor-General in Ceylon is required, under the Constitution, to furnish his report to the Governor and to the Speaker for communication to the State Council, where it can be debated. It would then be for the Ceylon Government to decide in the light of the debate what further action if any would be appropriate. As regards the last part of the Question the Civil Defence Commissioner was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, K.B.E., C.M.G., who is now the Financial Secretary of Ceylon.