HC Deb 02 May 1951 vol 487 cc1174-5
34. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that no British subject and no British-protected person native to the territory of Sierra Leone will be deprived of the right to participate in the election of members of the Legislative Council in the forthcoming elections on the grounds that he is living outside the area in which he was born.

Mr. J. Griffiths

It would not be appropriate for me to give such an assurance. Under the Sierra Leone (Legislative Council) Order in Council, 1951, provision for elections is made by law, or in the case of transitional provisions, by proclamation.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is some disquiet and a degree of feeling that some who are morally entitled to vote will not be able to do so?

Mr. Griffiths

The order has not been published yet. If my hon. Friend will give me the evidence which has prompted his Question, I will see that it is conveyed to the Governor.

35. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what method representatives of the districts of the Protectorate of Sierra Leone will be chosen to sit in the Legislative Council.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Under Section 7 of the Sierra Leone (Legislative Council) Order in Council, 1951, each of the 12 district councils in the Protectorate will elect from among its members one person to be a member of the Legislative Council.

36. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what alterations have been made in the methods of election of the district councils in the Protectorate of Sierra Leone since 1947.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Under the Sierra District Councils Ordinance of 1950 the district councils, which had previously been composed of two representatives from each chiefdom in the district, were enlarged to include three additional members for each council, who may either be appointed by the chiefdom representatives in the council or elected for a particular area. Provision was also made for the appointment by the tribal authority of additional chiefdom representatives for the larger chiefdoms.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the number of those who should be elected laid down?

Mr. Griffiths

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.