§ 5. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of members of the Legislative Council of Fiji; how many of these are elected and how many nominated; how many members are elected, respectively, on European, Indian, and Fijian racial rolls; and what percentage of the European, Indian, and Fijian populations respectively, are enfranchised.
§ Mr. ProfumoThere are 16 official and 15 unofficial members. Of the five European and five Indian members, three each are elected and two nominated. The five Fijian members are appointed by the Governor from a panel of names selected by the Council of Chiefs. About 12½ per cent. of Europeans and eight per cent. of Indians have the vote.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs not it a very unsatisfactory position that 80 per cent. of the members of the Legislature are nominated by the Governor? Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to try to begin to apply the principles of democracy to this island?
§ Mr. ProfumoI cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. The constitutional 526 arrangements for each territory must be based on the conditions, and the stage of development, of the particular territory. I think these are about right.
§ Mr. J. JohnsonWill the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again in view of the possibility of an explosive situation in Fiji in the near future? Is not it a fact that Polynesians hold the land, while Indians are now more than 50 per cent. of the population and have the middle jobs and the money? Is not it worth while looking again at this question?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think that it is a question of looking at it again, because my right hon. Friend is constantly looking at it.