§ 80. Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total population of Trinidad at the last census, according to sex and age; the total number of persons on the electoral roll according to sex; and the franchise qualifications of electors and the qualifications of candidates for election to the legislative council?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)As the answer is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following in the answer:
§ The total population at the 1931 Census was 411,452, of which 205,859 were males and 205,593 were females. Particulars of the age distribution are not yet available. The number of registered electors at the end of December, 1931, was 20,020. The register was due for revision in 1932, but the revised figures have not yet been received in the Colonial Office. Nor are particulars of the sex distribution of registered electors available.
§ The franchise qualifications of electors are:
§ They must be British subjects by birth or naturalisation and not under legal incapacity; if males, they must be 21, and if females, 30 years of age; they 631 must understand spoken English and must have lived in the Colony for two years prior to registration or be domiciled and resident in the Colony on the date thereof.
§ Property qualifications:
§ Occupation as owner for one year of property of £12 10s. rateable value in a borough or £10 elsewhere; or occupation as tenant paying £12 10s. per annum rent in a borough or £10 per annum elsewhere; or payment as lodger for one year of £12 10s. rent or £62 10s. rent and board combined; or occupation as owner or tenant under agreement of property paying at least 10s. per annum land tax; or annual salary of £62 10s. Persons adjudged by a Court to be of unsound mind, or who have received poor relief within six months before date of registration are disqualified.
§ The qualifications of candidates for election to the Legislative Council are:
§ They must be of the male sex and able to read and write English and must be registered as electors; they must own real estate £2,500 in value or derive £200 per annum therefrom, or must have an income of over £400 from any source. They must have resided in an electoral district for one year or own therein real estate £5,000 in value or giving an income of £400 per annum. Ministers of religion and paid officers of the Crown or the Government are disqualified.
§ 82. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if attendance at school is compulsory in the island of Trinidad; and if not, what steps he proposes to take to bring this matter before the legislature?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Governor of Trinidad has power under existing legislation to proclaim any area to be a compulsory school attendance area. This power has not yet been exercised, but the question will no doubt receive further consideration in connection with the recent visit to Trinidad of the West Indian Education Commission.