§ 38. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what interests the Nominated Members of the Legislative Council in Mauritius represent; and what consultation there is with representative bodies before the appointment of these nominated members.
§ Mr. HopkinsonNominated Members are appointed in their personal capacity, and not as representatives of any particular interest. In selecting names for submission to Her Majesty the Governor acts entirely in his discretion and in pursuance of the principles referred to in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a Question on this matter by the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 18th November last.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs it not a fact that a Conservative Nominated Member—actually he was an ex-President of the Chamber of Commerce—has been appointed as a labour liaison officer? Did the right hon. Gentleman not think of consulting the trade unions or considering as an appointment a member of the trade unions in Mauritius?
§ Mr. HopkinsonIt is within the discretion of the Governor alone and when this Constitution was devised in 1947 by a former Colonial Secretary, Mr. Creecn Jones, the question of consulting bodies of this sort was considered and in fact was expressly rejected.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsMay I ask whether my hon. Friend the member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) is not right in saying that when a labour liaison officer is appointed there would be every advantage in appointing him from amongst the trade unions? Will the right hon. Gentleman take that up?
§ Mr. HopkinsonYes, Sir. I will bring it to the attention of my right hon. Friend.