Constitution (Hansard, 27 June 1956)

§ 34. Mr. Sorensen
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Attorney-General of Sarawak intimated in a broadcast talk that Sarawak will not necessarily be granted a constitution corresponding to the terms of the Resolution of the Council Negri of 7th September, 1955; whether the wishes of the members of the Council Negri are to be considered; and when the text of the new constitution will be published in order to provide the people of Sarawak with adequate opportunity for its consideration before enactment.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The Attorney-General, very properly, wished to make it clear that Her Majesty could not be committed in advance to detailed approval of the prayer contained in the Council Negri's resolution. The wishes of the Council Negri as expressed in that resolution are, of course, being followed to the greatest possible extent in drafting the new constitution. In accordance with normal practice the text of the constitutional instruments will not be published before enactment.

§ Mr. Sorensen
Will not the Secretary of State agree that it is highly desirable that the expressions of opinion and proposals by the indigenous assembly should be followed very closely and taken into closest consideration? Does he not feel that it is necessary to publish the full text of the constitution?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I quite agree that it is most important that the views of the local people—and here, above all, the Council Negri—should be very much taken into account. The resolution of the Council asks for a constitution on certain lines, which it set out. It is then for the legal adviser of the Sarawak Government and myself as Secretary of State to translate those proposals into legal terms. Constitutionally this is the way it has always been done, and it is much the best way in all the circumstances.

§ 35. Mr. Sorensen
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before the enactment of a new constitution for Sarawak, the Council Negri will be given an opportunity formally to propose the text of an appropriate preamble to the constitution.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I do not consider this to be necessary or appropriate.