§ Sir J. HASLAMasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to report that any progress has been made in persuading Ceylon to adopt the provisional arrangements agreed to at the Ottawa Conference; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to bring this colony into line with the rest of the Empire?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Governor of Ceylon informs me that his Ministers are still considering the possibility of granting further preferences to Empire goods, but he is at present unable to state that they will take the necessary steps within any definite period, or that the State Council of Ceylon would agree to any proposals which they may make. He assures me that he fully realises the importance which I attach to the early introduction in the State Council of measures which would bring the preferences now granted by Ceylon to the rest of the Empire more into line with the provisional arrangements agreed to at the Ottawa Conference. He has taken a suitable opportunity of bringing to the notice of the Board of Ministers the great disappointment felt in this country at the incomplete measure of co-operation shown by Ceylon in the protection of Empire economic interests, and will continue to remind the board of the possible consequences to Ceylon of inaction on her part.