HC Deb 09 March 1937 vol 321 cc966-7
40. Mr. McGhee

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in any alteration of the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia, he will ensure that the existing native franchise on the common roll will not be abolished, and that the Constitution will not contain any lessening in the power of the Secretary of State to disallow any Bill containing discriminatory legislation?

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 18th December, there is no proposal before me at present for any alteration of the provisions of the Southern Rhodesia electoral law, nor is it proposed in the amendments of the Constitution which are now contemplated to alter in any way the provision with regard to discriminatory legislation.

Mr. Paling

Is it not a fact that the qualification is now so difficult that very few of them get on.

Mr. MacDonald

The qualification for natives is the same as it is for Europeans.

Mr. Paling

Is it not a fact that very few do get on?

Mr. MacDonald

I think there are about 58.

41. Mr. Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give details regarding the draft Bill embodying constitutional changes in Southern Rhodesia, and, in particular, as to what provisions are being made for the representation of native interests?

Mr. MacDonald

Drafts of the proposed amendments of the Southern Rhodesia Constitution have been published in Command Paper Cmd. 5218. No provision is included for the separate representation of the natives in the Legislature, but, as explained in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling) on r6th February, natives are entitled under the electoral law of Southern Rhodesia to be registered as voters on the same terms as Europeans.

Mr. Watkins

Does that mean that natives have no representation on the Legislature at all.

Mr. MacDonald

Those who are on the electoral roll are, of course, entitled to vote for their representatives.

Back to