§ Mr. LINFIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the principles which govern the distribution of official advertisements to newspapers in Crown Colonies; whether he is aware that the. Government of Ceylon has, in certain cases, differentiated between newspapers which approve of its policy and others which criticise it adversely; and whether, in view of the fact that such advertisements are paid for out of the public revenues, he will issue instructions to the authorities concerned that publicity should be given to official notifications without regard to the political opinions expressed by particular newspapers?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo general instructions have been given on this subject, which is one which the Secretary of State would naturally leave to the discretion of the Governor in each case. I have no information as to the reported action of the Governor of Ceylon.