Ceylon (State Council Elections)

11.

Mr. Driberg
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it is not proposed to hold elections to the State Council of Ceylon in the near future.

Mr. George Hall
The life of the present State Council extends to March, 1947. The Council can, of course, be dissolved at an earlier date, but I am not aware of any requests in Ceylon for an early election.

Mr. Driberg
Is my right hon. Friend aware that this State Council is already over nine years old—almost as old and decrepit as the last Parliament in this country—and how soon does he anticipate that the people in Ceylon will be allowed a new deal?

Mr. Hall
It is not a question of allowing the people in Ceylon, because they have the right if they desire it, and so far they have not made any request.

Colonel Oliver Stanley
Is it not a fact that His Majesty's Government are about to make new constitutional proposals for Ceylon, and would it not be advisable to wait for the new election until these proposals are in force?

Mr. Hall
That is so.