asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the present position is with regard to the amendment of the Ceylon Constitution; have the governor's recommendations been received; and, if so, will they be laid?

I have been in correspondence with the Governor, who has recommended as a first step the appointment of a Committee of the Legislative Council to consider and report on the future allocation and distribution of seats in the Council, a question which has given rise to much difference of opinion in Ceylon. A resolution in favour of the appointment of such a Committee had previously been caried in the Council. I have approved of the appointment of this Committee. Pending the receipt of its report, it would be premature to lay any papers on the subject before the House.