HC Deb 05 May 1948 vol 450 c1250
16. Mr. Gammans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent Treaty with the Maldive Islands.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The Agreement to which the hon. Member refers redefines, without substantially altering, the relationship between His Majesty's Government and the Sultan of the Maldive Islands as originally set out in an exchange of Letters in 1887 between the then Governor of Ceylon and the then Sultan. It provides, however, for the relations between His Majesty's Government and the Sultan to be conducted in future through the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Ceylon.

Mr. Gammans

Was there any term of years for that agreement?

Mr. Rees-Williams

Not that I am aware of.