I have much pleasure in seconding the motion which the hon. Member for Horana has moved.

He has explained at fair length the position of the Officers of State in this Council, which he describes, rather epigram­matically but not incorrectly, as a diarchy within a diarchy, a position which the Donoughmore Commission particularly wished to avoid. I *iust say that I myself am greatly puzzled by the extraordinarily perplexing biological prob­lem which is presented by these Officers of State. What particular species of animal th:y are it is very difficult at first sight to define. They appear to be neither fish, flesh, nor fowl ; or if I may more correctly say it, they appear to partake of all three.

They are here, Members of the Legislative Assembly, who have the power to take part in debate and discussion, to move motions and resolutions and bring forward amend­ments, but who are deprived of the one elementary right of membership which alone would have cast any responsibility upon them, namely, the use of the vote. They are not entitled to vote in this House, but they are perfectly entitled to take part in debate, to influence the course of debate, and to influence the introduction of measures and legislation, without really forming a part of this legislative body at all.

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