§ 7. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the exact wording of the section of the new electoral law in East Nigeria, under which the publication of any statement calculated to prejudice the chances of a candidate for election to the Central Legislature will be considered as an offence; and if he is satisfied that this gives protection against libel, without imposing undue restrictions on freedom of political advocacy.
§ Mr. LytteltonNo new electoral law has been made in the Eastern Region of Nigeria. The Regional Executive Council has, however, been considering what regulations should govern the election of Eastern Region members to the Federal House of Representatives under the proposed new constitution.
It has, among other things, considered a provision somewhat on the lines of subsection (1) of Section 91 of the Representation of the People Act, 1949. The 411 regulations in question will fall to be made by the Governor-General in Council and I cannot, at this stage, forecast what their content is likely to be.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that, as it now stands, this seems a rather wide restriction? Would he not look at this matter more closely and give advice at least to the Governor-General in Council?
§ Mr. LytteltonI do not want to detain the House by reading the appropriate portion of the Representation of the People Act, but this proposal follows the provisions of that Act very closely. It has not been passed yet. It remains to be passed by the Governor-General in Council. If the hon. Member compares this provision with our own Act, he will see that it strictly follows its lines.
47. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been made to the proposals for procedure at future Federal elections forwarded to the Governor of Nigeria by the Northern Elements Progressive Union.
§ Mr. LytteltonI have asked the Acting Governor for the information and will write to the hon. Member when it has been received.