HC Deb 28 January 1942 vol 377 c696
14. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now consider the reconstitution of the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia, so as to allow greater direct, or indirect, representation of the overwhelming majority of people in the territory, particularly because the Council is dealing this year with labour and native legislation?

Mr. George Hall

The new Governor will no doubt acquaint my Noble Friend with his views on this matter as soon as he has had time to form a judgment on the local situation; though I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate that present conditions do not afford a very favourable opportunity for approaching such a subject.

Mr. Creech Jones

Is it not a fact that within the past year the Constitution has been amended and is it not desirable that when a population of 1,250,000 natives have been given only one direct representative while a few thousand Europeans have no fewer than eight, the system should be overhauled at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Hall

As my hon. Friend knows, the new Governor has only recently taken up his appointment, and this question, with other constitutional matters, has been referred to him.