§ Mr. PENNYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will suggest to the Colonial authorities concerned the desirability of not interfering with the assessment of standard production on such Malayan and Ceylon rubber estates, the private owners or lessees of which have already left for England to be present at the British Empire Exhibition; and whether he will suggest that the assessment figures fixed and existing before their departure should remain in force until their return on or after the last day of October, 1924?
Mr. THOMASSuch consideration as is desirable in the light of local conditions will no doubt be given by the Governments in Ceylon and Malaya in the cases mentioned by the hon. Member, but I do not think it would be practicable for those Governments to adopt a suggestion of the nature he proposes.