PARLIAMENTARY (HANSARD) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OFFICIAL REPORT PRINCIPAL CONTENTS ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS [Col. 127] BILLS READ THE FIRST TIME [Col. 143] Veterinary Surgeons and Practitioners Bill Exchange Control (Amendment) Bill SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS DISABILITIES [Col. 144] LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY-LAWS [Col. 181] AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS REGULATION | Col. 181] MOTOR TRAFFIC REGULATION [Col. 182] MATERNITY BENEFITS REGULATION [Col. 182] SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY [Col. 185] ADJOURNMENT MOTION [Col. 195] WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS [Col. 243] PRINTED AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS, CEYLON Annual Subscription Rs. 28.50 (Uncorrected copies Rs. 31.50) and POST OFFICE Box 500, Secretariat, Colombo 1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, 11th July, 1956 The House met at 2 p.m., MR. SPEAKER [THE HON. H. S. ISMAIL M.B.E.,] in the Chair. PAPERS PRESENTED ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Radio Ceylon 4. Mr. Mohamed Ali asked the Minister of Posts, Broadcasting and Information: In view of his announcement that he intends cutting down immediately and abolishing finally the English Service put over the Western Service of Radio Ceylon will he consider reducing the licence fees on radio sets ? The Hon. C. A. S. Marikkar (Minister of Posts, Broadcasting and Information): The question of abolishing the English Service of Radio Ceylon has not even been considered but the hours of transmission will be slightly curtailed. As this will be accompanied by an improvement of standards throughout the National Service, the total running costs are unlikely to be less. There is no intention of reducing the licence fees on radio sets. Swabasha Trained Teachers The Hon. Stanley de Zoysa (Minister of Finance): (a) Yes. Salary scales govern whether an officer should travel 2nd or 3rd class. In the case of members of the Clerical Service, they are permitted 2nd class travel as their maximum salary is not less than Rs. 2,112 per annum (females Rs. 1,752 per annum). In the case of Swabasha trained teachers whose maximum salaries are (i) trained 1st class Rs. 2,016; (ii) trained 2nd class Rs. 1,170; 2nd class travel facilities are not permitted until they reach a salary of Rs. 1,392 per annum. In the case of trained 1st class female Swabasha teachers they would be entitled to 2nd class train travel. (b) In view of the reply at (a), it would be seen that there is no discrimination. All Government employees are affected by these regulations. (c) The question does not arise, in view of the fact that the salary scales of the two grades referred to differ. Milk Feeding Centres 18. Mr. Cholmondeley Goonewardene asked the Minister of Agriculture and Food: (a) Is he aware that the management of a large number of Milk Feeding Centres in this country is unsatisfactory and corrupt? (b) What action does he propose to take in connection with them? (c) What are his proposals to reorganize these centres on proper lines? The Hon. D. P. R. Gunawardena (Minister of Agriculture and Food): (a) Yes. (b) and (c): Proposals for the reorganization of these centres are being considered. Public Security Act 19. Mr. Cholmondeley Goonewardene asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and External Affairs (a) Will he repeal the Public Security Act? (b) If so, when? (c) If not, why? 5. Mr. Mohamed Ali asked the Minister of Finance: (a) Is he aware that members of the Clerical Service are given second class railway warrants immediately on recruitment while Swabasha trained teachers are given third class railway warrants until they complete about five years of service or more? (b) Why this discrimination? (c) Will he consider giving Swabasha as well as English trained teachers the equality (Prime Minister): This matter as to of status to travel by train and if not, why? 2-J. N. B 7178-777 (7/56) The Hon. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike whether sections of the Public Security Act should be amended has not |