§ 53. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the memorial signed by 3,152 electors out of a total of 3,980 electors of Gibraltar and which was handed to the Governor of Gibraltar on 31st August, 1934, for transmission to London; and, if so, whether he has considered it and can now state what action he proposes to take regarding its purpose?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The memorial has been received and is under consideration; but I can hold out no hope that it will be possible to comply with the memorialists' requests.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhen such a majority of electors indicate a desire to have this particular plan put into operation, surely it requires more than a dismissal by the Secretary of State given to it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEROf course, any petition requires very careful consideration, and that has been given in this case. In the first place, in this matter I am following the considered view of all my predecessors over a period of years. In the second place, in regard to a large number of people, the Governor has recorded that a large number of signatures were obtained on loose sheets of paper, which were canvassed round the town, and people said they did not know what they were signing.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that what has been the considered opinion of Governors over a long period is very often overcome by the present Secretary of State for the Colonies, and will he not go into this matter much more fully and consider the views of those who represent the memorialists?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI was not referring to the considered opinion of Governors only. On this matter, representations have been considered by every Secretary of State, Liberal, Conservative and Labour, and we have all come to the same conclusion.
§ Mr. MACLEANI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earlist opportunity on the Adjournment.