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SIR,

No. 35.

CEYLON.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to Lieutenant-GovERNOR SIB E. N. WALKER.

(No. 169.)

[Copy to War Office June 10, 1899.]

Downing Street, June 9, 1899.

I HAVE had under my consideration Sir West Ridgeway's despatch No. 379 of the 19th November last,* forwarding the draft of an Ordinance "for preventing the spread of Contagious Diseases among the Military Forces stationed in the Island,”

2. As regards the fifth paragraph of that despatch, I have to point out to you that it appears from the Army Medical Returns that the total average admissions per thousand for venereal diseases during the nine years preceding 1888, when the Contagious Diseases Ordinance was repealed, were 328-8; and for the nine years following 1888, 312-67.

3. I am not satisfied that there is any sufficient reason for introducing the Ordinance submitted in the despatch under reply, which under any circumstances I could not have

• sanctioned without considerable modification. No new legislation appears under existing circumstances to be necessary; but you should give instructions that the power of closing brothels conferred by Ordinance No. 5 of 1889 should be exercised in all cases where brothels are reasonably suspected of being special centres of disease, and where the inmates are not in the habit of attending hospitals when suffering from disease. I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

• No. 26.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :---

TITLC.O. 882

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