18. Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many Africans are at present registered as parliamentary voters in Southern Rhodesia; whether any change in the existing non-racial franchise is contemplated for the near future; and, i[...] so, whether he can give an assurance that no such change will be effected before Parliament has had an oportunity to discuss it?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)It was stated in the Southern Rhodesia Legislative Assembly in 1933 that there were then 58 natives on the electoral roll. I have not at present any more recent figure. There is no proposal before me for any alteration of the non-racial provisions of the franchise law; the last part of the Question does not therefore arise.
Mr. JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman given an assurance that when the matter is raised that as far as His 2798 Majesty's Government and himself are concerned they will not support any proposal for discrimination against the natives in regard to the franchise?
§ Mr. MacDONALDThat comes within the category of a hypothetical question.