Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects that the deliberations of the Cingalese Council on the report of the Governor of Ceylon will be completed?

It is not possible at present to form an opinion as to when the debate in the State Council will be completed. I understand that it may be expected to continue for some time yet.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman:

Is it not the case that the result of these deliberations is a foregone conclusion?

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government of Ceylon is taking to balance its budget in future; and how it proposes to provide for last year's R.3,000,000 deficit?

The Ceylon budget for 1939 –40 has not yet been introduced in the State Council and my right hon. Friend is not therefore aware what precise steps the Ceylon Government propose to take to deal with the financial position. A retrenchment commission was, however, appointed by the Governor last August with wide terms of reference and they have recently submitted three interim reports recommending savings over a wide field of local expenditure.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Ceylon Government is dismissing its employ és who are of Tamil origin; and what steps are being taken to prevent communal trouble?

The Government of Ceylon have decided that daily paid non-Ceylonese employ és who have been taken into the employment of the Government since 1st April, 1934, should be given a month's notice of discharge, provided that there are Ceylonese available if necessary to replace them. Those who desire to return to their homes outside Ceylon will be granted free travel and a bonus of one month's pay. The number involved by such notice is estimated to be less than 1,000. My right hon. Friend is informed that the Government of Ceylon have decided that preference in Government employment must be given to Ceylonese employ és, if the financial situation of the Ceylon Government is found to require a retrenchment of staff. In anticipation of such requirement, daily paid non-Ceylonese employ és who were taken into the employment of the Government prior to 1st April, 1934, are to be given the option of voluntary retirement prematurely, and those who so apply before the end of this year will be given gratuities according to length of service and free travel for themselves and families to their homes outside Ceylon. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend has no information as to any special steps which are considered necessary.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman:

Are we to understand that no Tamils, people who have been resident in Ceylon for a great number of years and are citizens of Ceylon, have been dismissed?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Are we to understand that all minorities have been treated alike and have been treated fairly?

I see no reason to think that the persons whom I mentioned are not being treated with perfect fairness by the Government of Ceylon.