§ 41. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position regarding the proposed changes in the Jamaican Colonial Constitution?
§ Colonel StanleyI am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. RileyBearing in mind that two separate proposals have already been made to the Jamaican people with regard to the change in Constitution, will a third proposal be made as a result of the recent visit of the Governor to this country?
§ Colonel StanleyI cannot at the moment make a statement, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have had these matters very much under my consideration during the last few weeks.
§ 42. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the presence of the Governor of Jamaica in this country for discussions, among other matters, of constitutional reforms, he will consider consulting a representative delegation of the Jamaican people so that their views may be made directly available to the Colonial Office upon this urgent matter?
§ Colonel StanleyThe views of representative bodies in Jamaica on the subject of constitutional reform have already been made available to me through a written statement prepared by the bodies. I have had the advantage of discussing the statement with the Governor, who has just returned to the Colony. I do not think that any further representation of views is now required.
§ Mr. AdamsDoes the Minister not think that this is worthy of more consideration, in view of the fact that we have in this country to-day many representative Jamaican people and that the Governor appears to be quite unable to make up his mind on the subject?
§ Colonel StanleyIt is not for the Governor to make up his mind; it is for me as the responsible Minister to make up my mind.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy don't you?
§ Colonel StanleyI differ sometimes from the hon. Gentleman in that I like to think first and make up my mind afterwards.