§ 1 and 3. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will make a statement on the forth-coming General Election in Tanganyika indicating whether it will take place in 1960 or 1961; whether the constitutional changes there, now under consideration by Her Majesty's Government, will be implemented before or after that election; and under what franchise that election will be held;
(2) if he will state his latest constitutional proposals for Tanganyika.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Iain Macleod)The Governor has stated, with my agreement, that the next elections will be held in September, 1960, or as soon thereafter as the necessary preparations can be completed. With regard to the timing and nature of constitutional changes, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 17th November.
§ Mr. HughesIn order to create a suitable atmosphere for that election and also for the solution of outstanding problems in the area, will the Minister give an assurance that the franchise will be of such a character that a representative Government will be elected?
§ Mr. MacleodThe extension of the franchise is one of the main parts of the Ramage Committee's proposals, which I have been discussing with the Governor in this country over the last few days. The statement which will be made before the end of the year will deal with that.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonMay I ask whether it is proposed to publish the Ramage Committee's Report and, if so, when?
§ Mr. MacleodIt has not yet been published but I think that after the statement is made to which I have referred, which will be next month, it will be appropriate to publish it.