§ 20. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in the discussions in Aden Colony regarding changes in the franchise; and if he will give an assurance that there will be no further postponement of the date of elections beyond the present legal date.
§ Mr. FisherHon. Members will have learnt with deep regret of the recent death of Mr. Bayoomi, the Chief Minister of Aden. Before his illness Mr. Bayoomi invited representatives of other political groups in Adenincluding the Peoples 1033 Socialist Party to participate in a Commission of Inquiry to revise the franchise, which everyone agrees to be unsatisfactory. They have so far refused; and the Aden Council of Ministers is at present considering the problem thus created.
§ Mr. ThomsonWhile sharing the hon. Gentleman's regret at the death of the Chief Minister of Aden, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will direct his attention to the Question? Will he recall that he gave the House an assurance that elections postponed already for one year in Aden would definitely take place before the end of this year? Is he prepared to honour that assurance to the House?
§ Mr. FisherI hope so. The local difficulty, and the problem to which I drew attention in my original Answer, had arisen subsequent to my statement. It obviously raises a doubt whether in practice the date set for the Constitution can be complied with precisely. I must be frank and tell the House that there is this physical difficulty.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is an extremely unsatisfactory reply? Is he aware that this matter has now been before us for some years? Is he not prepared to take action from this country to get something done about this?
§ Mr. FisherI do not think that there is any action one can take. This is a purely physical difficulty. Time is needed to revise the franchise. The different political parties, for reasons which I gave, have not discussed together in what way the franchise can be altered. Until that is done and until various ways of revising it can be put in hand, I do not think that there is anything I can do from here to implement the matter.
§ Mr. ThomsonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.