§ CAPTAIN PRICEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1689 Whether it is to be understood that the full number of members on the Government side of the Council of Jamaica would be nine, of which some would be ex officio and others nominated; but that the Government undertake not to appoint more than six of such members at present, nor to complete the number except when the Governor should declare the matter under discussion to be one of paramount Imperial importance?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe answer to the first two portions of the Question is, Yes. The hon. and gallant Member, however, misunderstood what I said the other night, if he gathered that the Governor will not be empowered to nominate the full number of Members on the Government side unless he declared that there is at stake some matter of paramount public or Imperial importance. This provision applies only to the use of the official majority existing at the time in certain cases of opposition by elective Members. The Governor can at any time proceed to act under the powers given him by the Order in Council by nominating the full tale of Councillors; but it is hoped that forbearance and friendly co-operation on both sides may indefinitely postpone the completion of the full number of nominated Members.