HC Deb 22 July 1931 vol 255 c1504W
Mr. W. J. BROWN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the result of the recent general election in Ceylon; and whether the censorship of news from Ceylon is still being maintained?

Dr. SHIELS

In the recent general election, which was completed on 20th June, nine members were returned unopposed and 37 members were elected after contest. Nearly 60 per cent. of the electors voted. The 16 members comprise:

28 Low Country Sinhalese,
10 Kandyans,
2 Europeans,
3 Ceylon Tamils,
2 Indian Tamils, and
1 Moslem.

As I informed the right hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on 24th June, no nomination papers were handed in for the four constituencies in the Jaffna peninsula. With regard to the second part of the question, there has been no censorship of news whatever at any time.