Mr. KINGasked whether a committee had been appointed to inquire into the working of the House Rule Ordinance in Southern Nigeria; and who are the members of that committee and what are the terms of reference?
Mr. HARCOURTNo Committee has been appointed, as far as I am aware, but I instructed the Governor in December last to make a careful inquiry into the working of the Ordinance, and to furnish me with a report on the subject.
Mr. KINGasked whether, under the House Rule Ordinance of Southern Nigeria 671 it was possible to separate against their will husband and wife who have been married with Christian rites; whether such cases have actually occurred, and, if so, how many have been reported; and whether, under this ordinance, families have been forcibly broken up and the units transferred to different masters in different places.
Mr. HARCOURTI am aware of no cases in which husbands and wives who have been married with Christian rites have been separated against their will under the Native House Rule Ordinance, and I am advised that such separation could not be enforced under that Ordinance. I will, however, refer my hon. Friend's enquiry to the Governor and invite his comments.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCan we have that House Rule Ordinance laid upon the Table of the House?
Captain CRAIGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will include Ireland in the scope of this Commission and make things right there?
Captain CRAIGMay I ask whether it is not a fact that there is a rule in Ireland that most people's homes are their houses?