§ 2. Mr. Berkeleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in the light of the consultations which he has had with the Government of Nyasaland, he will now take steps to amend the Nyasaland Constitution to provide only for a common roll on which all can vote.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and for the Colonies (Mr. Duncan Sandys)Since so few Europeans availed themselves of their right to register on the special European roll, it has been decided by general agreement that the special roll seats should be reduced from five to three. Europeans who do not wish to register on the special roll will be permitted to register on the general roll.
§ Mr. BerkeleyI welcome this freedom of choice for the Europeans, but would not my right hon. Friend agree that the introduction of a purely racial roll into Nyasaland at this stage is a somewhat retrograde step? How long does he think that it is likely to last, and can he explain to the House why 814 Europeans should be represented in this way in Nyasaland when 60,000 Europeans are not so represented in Kenya?
§ Mr. SandysI do not think that there is any connection between Nyasaland and Kenya. As for the other matters, the original arrangements were made by agreement, and the amendment that is now proposed has also been generally agreed. I think that it is not a bad sign for the future that they are developing their institutions in this way.