§ Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the speech of Shaukat Ali in Colombo last month, in which he is reported to have stated that the Moslems of India would never repeat the mistake they had made of sending men and money to the support of the British Empire, that not one pice out of the funds of Indians and not one Indian soldier would be sent, and they wanted to close the door on the British Empire until their demands were granted; and why this man was permitted to land in Ceylon when the object of his visit there was simply to stir up disaffection?
Mr. THOMASI have seen certain reports in the Indian Press, but I have no official information in the matter. I will ask the Governor for a report.
§ Mr. LINFIELDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Defence of the Realm Regulations are still in operation in Ceylon, and that frequent requests for their withdrawal have been made by the Ceylon National Congress and other public bodies, on the ground that they are subversive of public liberty; and whether, in view of the fact that no necessity for their continuance 60W now exists, the Regulations will be withdrawn at an early date?
Mr. THOMASThese Regulations did not extend to Ceylon, but I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Order in Council of the 26th October, 1896, which was put into operation in certain Colonies, including Ceylon, during the War. The Governor in 1922 reported that the retention of the Order in force was required on several grounds, the most important being the necessity of retaining the power to control food supplies in view of the deficiency in the rice harvest. I have received no request for the withdrawal of the Order, but I propose to ask the Governor whether he is of opinion that its retention in force is still justified.
§ Mr. SNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Ceylon National Congress urging that on the expiration of the term of the present Governor of that colony a Governor with experience of British public life should be appointed, as is the custom in the adjacent provinces of India; and whether he will consider the advisability of not limiting this appointment to the ranks of the Colonial Civil Service?
Mr. THOMASMy attention has been drawn to the resolution in question. The appointment is not limited to the ranks of the Colonial Civil Service, but I cannot at present make any statement as to how it is likely to be filled in the future.
§ Mr. LINFIELDasked the Secretary of State fox the Colonies whether he is aware of the disappointment caused in Ceylon by the omission from the Order in Council recently forwarded to the Governor of any proposals for the reform of the Executive Council; and whether he can give an assurance that this matter will be dealt with at an early date, in accordance with the representations made to His Majesty's Government by the Ceylonese deputation last year?
Mr. THOMASProposals for some alteration in the constitution of the Executive Council have been under discussion with the Governor for some time, and I hope that the Governor will be in a position to make an announcement in the matter when the elections to the new Legislative Council have taken place.