§ 2.35 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether special legislation will be necessary to enable Sir Senarath Gunawardaba, the Ambassador for Ceylon in Washington, to renounce his Knighthood in accordance with the statement made by Mr. Bandaranaike; and, if not, what procedure will be followed to give effect to this renunciation.]
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement on the Question asked by the noble Viscount, since this is a matter for Her Majesty's Government in Ceylon.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEBut in view of the strictly official nature of the request by this gentleman, will he hereafter be described in Government circulars as a Knight, or has he reverted to the rank of commoner—a "Mr."?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think that that is a matter primarily for the Government of Ceylon. I cannot begin making any statement on things that go outside the actual competence of this House or of this country.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEI quite understand what the noble Marquess says. I think it amounts to this: that the Government of Ceylon have the right to abolish this Order so far as Ceylon is concerned.