HL Deb 01 May 1958 vol 208 cc1175-7

3.15 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are now in a position to indicate the nature of the constitutional changes in the Bahamas proposed as a result of the visit of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.]

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, the noble Lord may be familiar with the reply given by my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary to a Question in another place on April 13, after he had returned from the Bahamas. On constitutional matters it is proposed to introduce universal adult male suffrage. The present low property qualification will be abolished. Representations were made to my right honourable friend about votes for women, but he and the Governor are not convinced that there is a sufficiently wide demand for this change at present.

It is further proposed to abolish the company vote under which a man may have a number of votes in respect of a number of different companies; and also to abolish the present arrangement by which a voter may have a vote in every constituency. The plural vote is to be limited to two, the second vote requiring a property qualification in a second constituency. It is also proposed that constituencies should be brought more into line with the distribution of population within the Colony. To this end four additional seats are to be created for New Providence. By-elections to these four seats would be held as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made, including the preparation of a new register of voters.

Legislation to bring about these changes needs to be brought into effect by the end of this year. It is understood that these proposals have received general approval in the Colony, and in the last week the Constitution Committee of the House of Assembly has reported in favour of them.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that encouraging reply, may I ask him whether it is not possible, in the present stage of our constitutional advance, to reconsider the question of votes for women; and also, whether it is true, as rumour has it, that there is a small but powerful and reactionary opposition in the Bahamas which is resisting the change?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, I think I can add nothing on the question of votes for women. This matter was carefully considered by my right honourable friend and others, and they feel that what has been decided is right. With regard to the opposition, I think that probably that is always a good thing, particularly when I look in front of me at the moment. But what is important is what happens. I understand that at this moment the Constituent Committee of the House of Assembly has reported in favour of the various proposals and if that is followed by a vote of the House of Assembly, then we need not worry too much.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, while agreeing with the noble Earl about the efficacy of opposition, and especially this Opposition, may I say that I hope that the vocal and powerful opposition in the Bahamas will not stop the Government from pursuing the course of action outlined?

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl to elucidate his remarks about the by-elections in four extra constituencies? I take it that later on a General Election will be held under the new suffrage laws. If these by-elections are held, will the new suffrage operate in those elections? And when may we expect a General Election there?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as I understand it, the by-elections for the four seats will be held quite apart from the fact of any General Election. I think the General Election will take its ordinary course, but rather than wait until that time, the four by-elections will be held now, and I assume that they will be on the new basis.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I apologise for asking a further question, but I should like to have the point clarified. When the noble Earl suggested that it needs legislation, did he mean legislation by this Parliament? In view of the fact that the Bahamas is such an old Colony, is it necessary for us to pass legislation here, or is it only the House in the Bahamas that has to do it?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, I think it is only the House in the Bahamas, because at this stage it is an internal matter.