§ Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of those British Colonies which may, and yet do not, grant preferences to the United Kingdom?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Colonies in question are Saint Helena and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, where the principle of Imperial Preference has been accepted and the legislation is in process of being drafted, the Cayman Islands, where the matter is now being examined, and Malta.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether and, if so, how he proposes to consult, in each case, direct representatives of the adult population of those British Colonies which are precluded by international treaty from granting preferences, before any decision is come to with regard to the abrogation of such treaties?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will 831W take steps to overrule the Ceylon State Council whose action in refusing preference to the chief imports from Britain has resulted in the export trade in Lancashire cotton piece-goods to Ceylon being threatened with extinction?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERUnder the constitution, the decision of the State Council of Ceylon in this matter could only be overridden if the Governor of the Island considered such action to be "of paramount importance to the public interest." As announced in a communication issued to the Press on 6th February, I have informed the Governor that, in view of the action of the State Council, His Majesty's Government must reserve their right to reconsider the scope and scale of the preferences granted to Ceylon by the United Kingdom during the past year.