HC Deb 22 March 1910 vol 15 cc1021-2W
Sir WILLIAM COLLINS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the reference to the Commission appointed to give effect to the proposed changes in the constitution of the Legislature of Ceylon; who are the members of it; and whether its sessions are held in public?

Colonel SEELY:

The terms of reference to the Commission were to inquire into and report upon the measures which should be taken in order to give effect to the scheme embodied in the despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, No. 664, of 24th December, 1909, for altering the constitution of the Legislative Council, with special reference to (a) the qualifications, if any, to be required of candidates for election to the Legislative Council; (b) the basis on which the franchise should be given in the case of each of the different communities to whom it is proposed to grant the privilege of electing members of the Legislative Council; (c) the arrangements which are required, with regard to each of the said communities, for the preparation and periodical revision of registers of persons entitled to vote for the election of members of the Legislative Council; (d) the manner in which the elections should be conducted and the votes thereat recorded; (e) the legislation which is necessary with regard to corrupt practices in connection with elections; (f) the manner in which temporary appointments should be made during the absence from the Colony of elected members; and (g) all other matter of detail affecting the election of members to Council. The persons appointed to serve on the Commission were Sir Hugh Clifford, K.C.M.G., Mr. A. G. Lascelles, K.C., Mr. W. H. Jackson, Mr. W. H. Figg, Mr. A. Alvis, Mr. B. W. Bawa, Mr. H. A. Beachcroft, Mr. V. A. Julius, Mr. J. H. M. Banda, Mr. J. Peris, Mr. E. Rosling, Mr. N. Selvadurai, Mr. J. A. van Langenburg, and Mr. J. G. Wardrop. Of these Messrs. Figg, Rosling. Beachcroft, and Wardrop have since resigned, and Mr. Julius has been relieved from further service at his own request. The Secretary of State has no official information as to the third part of my hon. Friend's question, but from the accounts published in the local Press it appears that at their first meeting the Commission decided not to admit the public or Press representatives to the subsequent meetings.