§ 34. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia favouring the appointment of a Speaker to take the place of the Governor as President of the Council; whether he proposes to act on this resolution; and whether the procedure suggested will be adopted in other colonies.
Mr. Creech JonesThe appointment of a Speaker as President of the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia was one of a number of constitutional matters discussed recently with the Governor and certain unofficial members of the Council who visited this country. The proposal was accepted in principle by my predecessor. The timing of the change has been left for the Governor to consider further with the unofficial members, with a view to determining whether it can be made at the same time as other changes in the constitution which are to be introduced in 1948. This development is naturally one which will be kept in mind when other Colonial constitutions are under consideration.