§ 40. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the population of the Bahamas is entitled to vote in elections for the House of Assembly; what proportion of the members of the House of Assembly are merchants; and whether any reform of the Bahamas Constitution is contemplated.
Mr. Creech JonesIn April last there were 10,944 registered electors, or 16 per cent. of the population. Many of those qualified under the franchise laws for the vote have not registered. I understand that 13 of the 29 members of the House of Assembly are merchants.
With regard to the last part of the Question, my hon. Friend will be aware that the secret ballot was extended this summer to all the Out Islands. Although the franchise is liberal, it is, I think, generally agreed that a further overhaul of the constitutional machinery is necessary. It is obviously preferable that proposals to this end should be put forward from the Colony, rather than from outside, and I am hopeful that this will be done.