Mr. LINFIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the cause of the serious accident to the Indo-Ceylon night mail train near Anuradhapura on 25th January; the number of persons killed; and the number wounded; whether some of the dead and injured were prisoners, who were being conveyed in the train and were handcuffed at the time of the accident; and whether, seeing that this was the second serious accident on this section of the line during the month of January and in view of the dissatisfaction that prevails in Ceylon in regard to a committee appointed by the local government to inquire into the catastrophe, as it is 291W composed of four officials and one nominated member of the legislative council, he will cause an inquiry to be held by an independent committee, with at least one railway expert, so that the necessary steps may be taken to prevent the recurrence of such disasters in the future?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have received no official information as to the accidents referred to but the Governor of Ceylon will be asked for a full report.