HC Deb 05 May 1937 vol 323 cc1143-4
36. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far consideration has been given to the proposals for the reorganisation of the Executive Council of the Governor of Kenya?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have asked the Governor to consider how the Executive Council might best be reconstituted. I have not received any suggestions, and the matter is obviously one which will require most careful consideration.

Mr. Creech Jones

I take it there is no intention to change the proportion of representation?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The hon. Member will recall that the Pim Report suggested that the present council was much too large and had on it far too many departmental officials whose time was taken up by it. One of the principal objects is to get a much smaller council and to reconstitute it.

Mr. Creech Jones

My point concerns the proportion of representation.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

This is purely an advisory council, and there can be no voting on it. My object is to get a small council, and I do not think it matters what are the proportions of representation among the people who serve upon it.