§ Mr. Iremongerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) whether he will give an early answer to communications addressed to him relating to a petition, presented on 29th April, 1963, and referred to him, which makes representations as to the plight of those Indian Tamils in Ceylon who are 182W United Kingdom citizens, in that they have been arrested illegally and imprisoned without trial;
(2) what action he is taking in regard to a petition presented on 29th April, 1963, on behalf of 800,000 Indian Tamils, natives of Ceylon who have not been accorded Ceylonese citizenship and consequently became United Kingdom citizens in 1948, in respect of the allegations in the petition as to the disregard with reference to the petitioners of the normal safeguards of freedom from arrest, and as to repressive acts of punishment by the army in Ceylon.
§ Mr. SandysI will answer this Question and Question 102 together. I am considering the matters referred to in this Petition, and I hope to be in a position to give an answer shortly.