HC Deb 16 July 1959 vol 609 cc580-1
49. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes are proposed in the electoral laws of Kenya, in view of the finding by the Council of State that they are discriminatory against Africans.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There will be no changes in the electoral law of Kenya until after the forthcoming conference on constitutional matters.

The Council of State's findings were that the recently introduced Legislative Council Bill was a differentiating Measure with certain provisions operating either in favour of the Africans or in favour of the other races. These findings and the recommendations of the Council of State for the removal of the differentiating provisions will be placed before the conference for its consideration.

I am sure the House will be as gratified as I am to observe the manifest objectivity and impartiality with which the Council of State has fulfilled, in this the first major matter on which it has had occasion to report, the functions for which it was created.

Mr. Brockway

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether it is not the case that the Council of State said that discrimination could be ended either by extending to the Africans the adult suffrage enjoyed by Europeans and Asians or by limiting the Europeans and Asians to the electoral restrictions of the Africans? May we have an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will press for adult suffrage all round when this matter is reconsidered?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Gentleman's last statement is not a fair inference to draw from the conclusions of the Council of State, which was not concerned with the relative merits of different forms of franchise. It is much better that these should be discussed at the conference of which I have already informed the House.

Mr. Callaghan

As one who has always believed that the Council of State was a necessity, may I associate myself with what the right hon. Gentleman said? Will he tell us when the conference is likely to be held?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No. I have nothing to add to the statement that I have already made on that point.