§ 39. Mr. Mathersasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Franchise Commission appointed in British Guiana to advise on the suffrage and the qualifications for election to membership of the Legislative Council does not adequately represent all sections of the population and is not likely to ensure an impartial decision on the question of the present limited franchise; and whether he will see that the Commission is so constituted that its findings may merit public confidence?
Mr. WhiteleyThe Commission was appointed in May last, and my Noble Friend has not received any representations regarding its composition. There are 23 members, of whom 10 are elected members of the Legislative Council. The remainder, who are all unofficials, include the Presidents of two of the local Labour Unions and the President of the Village Chairmen's Conference of the Colony.
§ Mr. MathersWill my hon. Friend indicate to his Noble Friend that the distrust of this Commission is due to the fact that it is chaired and largely dominated by those who worked the previous Constitution, and that their sympathies are looked upon as being against a proper democratic change?
Mr. WhiteleyI will convey that to my Noble Friend, but these people are appointed to these various committees and village councils, and from that it is taken that they have the full confidence of the people.