HC Deb 13 July 1938 vol 338 cc1312-3
44. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the qualifications for residents in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, respectively, for eligibility to serve as members of the Legislative Councils?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the answer is long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Riley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the neighbouring French islands in the West Indies there are no property qualifications for election to the Legislative Councils?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir.

Following is the reply:

Qualifications of Elected Members of Legislative Councils in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados.

Jamaica.

No person can become an Elected Member who

  1. (a) Holds any office of emolument under the Crown or under the Government of Jamaica; or
  2. (b) Is not entitled to vote at the election of a Member of the Council for some electoral district; or
  3. (c) Does not possess one of the following qualifications:
    1. (i) A clear annual income of £,150 from land belonging to him in his own right or in right of his wife.
    2. (ii) A clear annual income of, 200 arising partly from land, as aforesaid, and partly from any freehold office or any business.
    3. (iii) A clear annual income of, £300 arising from any freehold office or any business.
    4. (iv) The payment annually of direct taxes or export duty or both of not less than£10.
  4. (d) Has not resided for 12 months immediately preceding the election in the district for which he is a candidate, or does not possess a clear annual income of £150 from land in that district belonging to him in his own right or in right of his wife.

Trinidad.

An Elected Member must be:

  1. (a) of the male sex;
  2. (b) registered as a voter;
  3. (c) able to read and write English;
  4. (d) in possession, in his own right, of real estate of the value of at least £2,500 above all charges and encumbrances, or from which he derives a clear annual income of not less than £200; or, a clear annual income of over £400 arising from any source.

No person is entitled to be elected for any electoral district: unless he is resident therein and has been so resident for 12 months before the election, or possesses in that district real estate of the value of at least £5,000 or from which he derives a clear annual income of not less than £400.

Holders of an office of emolument under the Crown or under the Government of the Colony and ministers of religion are ineligible.

Barbados.

Every male subject of His Majesty, not less than 21 years of age, not being a minister of religion, or whose functions are of a judicial nature, is qualified for election if he possesses any one of the following qualifications:

  1. (1) Thirty acres of land in fee simple or fee tail, with a dwelling-house thereon of not less value than £300;
  2. (2) Ownership in fee simple or fee tail of lands, houses or real estate of the absolute value of £1500;
  3. (3) Tenant for life, or who, or whose wife, is beneficially interested for life, in any property of an annual value of not less than £120, whether occupied or leased out;
  4. (4) Receipt by the candidate or his wife of a clear annual income of not less than £200.

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