§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that nine of the twenty-two cases of illegal shooting after the Ceylon riots which were comprised in the Sinhalese memorial were the subject of inquiry by Sir John Anderson's local Commission; that in all these nine cases it was found that the statements in the memorial were substantially correct, and the denials made at different times in this House by himself and his predecessor were unfounded and inaccurate; whether he has any reason to suppose that the official denials in respect of the other thirteen cases given in the memorial are more worthy of credence; and, if not, whether he will see that those cases are dealt with on the same basis as the other nine, and compensation paid, wherever possible, to the widows and relatives of the victims?
§ Mr. LONGAll the cases of illegal shooting alleged in the Sinhalese memorial1844W have been carefully investigated by Sir John Anderson, and of them ten were considered to require further inquiry by a local Commission. Five of these ten cases had been the subject of questions in this House prior to the receipt of official reports on the allegations, and on the information then before him my predecessor stated that he had no reason to believe in the accuracy of the allegations. The Commission found that in all these cases the shooting was illegal, though done in good faith for the maintenance of order, but the statements made in the memorial were shown to be inaccurate in important particulars. The obvious exaggeration of the statements contributed in no small degree to the disbelief with which they were received. In the cases not referred to the Commission, full official reports traversing the allegations had been accepted as satisfactory by my predecessor, and I see no reason for reopening the matter. I have no doubt that the Governor of Ceylon has granted compensation in all proper cases.