§ 64. Major Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the African community is represented directly or indirectly on each of the legislative councils of the East African Colonies, including Nyassaland and Northern Rhodesia; and, if so, will he give the names.
§ Colonel StanleyWith my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate the information required in the OFFICIAL REPORT:
§ Following is the information:
§ In Kenya the Royal Instructions to the Governor provide that the legislative council shall include two nominated non-official members to represent the interests of the African community. The present members so nominated are Mr. H. R. Montgomery, C.M.G., formerly Chief Native Commissioner in the Kenya Service, and the Reverend L. J. Beecher. In Northern Rhodesia the Northern Rhodesia (Legislative Council) Order - in - Council provides that the legislative council shall include one nominated non - official member to represent the interests of the African community. The present member so nominated is Lieut.-Colonel S. Gore-Browne, D.S.O. In Tanganyika, Uganda and Nyasaland the constitutional Instruments do not provide for separate representation of particular racial communities in the legislature. In Tanganyika it is the practice for one of the non-official members nominated by the Governor to be chosen on the ground of special knowledge of African interests. The present member appointed for this purpose is the Reverend Canon R. M. Gibbons, O.B.E. In Nyasaland representation of the interests of the African community among the non-official members is normally entrusted to the Missionary member. The present member appointed for this purpose is the Right Reverend F. O. Thorne, B.A., Bishop of the Church of England in Nyasaland. In Zanzibar the decree of the Sultan creating a legislative council does not provide for separate representation of particular racial com- 179 munities. The non-official members, who are appointed by the Sultan, acting by and with the advice of the British Resident, include three Arabs and two Indians. There are no African members of the legislative councils in any of the Territories.