§ 5. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is proposed on the recommendations of the Hallett Boundary Commission for constituencies in British Guiana.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe Governor of British Guiana made an order on 8th February under the provisions of the British Guiana (Electoral Provisions) Order in Council, 1960, dividing the Colony into the thirty-five constituencies recommended by Sir Hugh Hallett, the Electoral Boundaries Commissioner.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of feeling in British Guiana that these constituencies are unfair, not only between party and party but, what is more unhappy, between race and race? For example, is he aware that one constituency has less than 10,000 electors while another has more than 20,000 electors? While this problem is difficult, in old-fashioned constituencies as in this country, is it not desirable that as far as possible under the new constitution there should be equal electorates?
§ Mr. FraserNo, Sir, I do not think so. We have looked into this very carefully, and perhaps I could just quote that in the 1959 election in this country Horn-church had 87,000 electors and Ross and Cromarty had 25,000 electors. What we are trying to do is to see that the electorates in British Guiana can be got round by individuals and that the terms of reference which were laid down have been carried out.