§ MR. ERRINGTONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Government will take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the appointment of a new Governor of the Windward Islands to insist on the much-needed reforms in the constitution and government of Barbadoes, especially the reforms recommended by Lord Carnarvon in 1877; and, whether he will lay upon the Table Copies of the Instructions which have been given to Mr. Robinson on these points, or take an opportunity of making a statement on the subject to the House?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE, in reply, said that a number of Constitutional changes had been effected in the Barbadoes since 1877. The Executive Council 250 had lately constituted an Executive Committee, which accomplished important works. The reforms proposed by Lord Carnarvon were for the most part ineffective, except that the officers of the Government were permitted to sit and speak in the Assembly without votes. Two such officers had been appointed for the last three years, and had introduced many Bills. Mr. Robinson had invited the Assembly to legislate upon various subjects, and hitherto the Assembly had shown itself quite ready to adopt his suggestions. No particular instructions had been sent to Mr. Robinson, as the Government had reason to believe that he was discharging his duties in a satisfactory manner.