HL Deb 16 January 1964 vol 254 cc711-3

3.30 p.m.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider widening the franchise in Aden before the spring elections.]

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, revision of the franchise is primarily a matter for the Aden Government. I understand that a Bill for this purpose is being prepared for in- troduction into the Legislative Council, but details of its provisions are not yet settled.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, what I really wanted to ask the noble Marquess is whether there will be a constitutional conference on the Aden Constitution before the next elections in Aden and whether the elections will be postponed for another six months, as I have read in the Press.

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, perhaps I can help here. As your Lordships probably know, the life of the Aden Legislative Council is due to end on January 25 of this year, and a general election has to be held within three months of the dissolution. But in view of the time needed to consider and legislate for a revision of the franchise and to compile a new electoral roll, Aden Ministers have felt obliged to recommend some extension of the life of the Legislative Council. Her Majesty's Government recognise the validity of these considerations, and we have therefore reluctantly decided to empower the High Commissioner to postpone the dissolution of the present Legislative Council for the time necessary to complete these processes and, to put a definite point on what the noble Earl asked me, up to a maximum period of six months.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I am very much obliged to the noble Marquess for his reply, which I think is important. I should still like to ask him whether, in view of the fact that elections in Aden have now been twice postponed, there will be a constitutional conference, if the Aden Government so desires, before the Legislative Council is dissolved in six months' time.

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I would prefer notice of that question. I canot give a reply to that "off the cuff".

THE EARL OF SANDWICH

My Lords, is not the difficulty with regard to the Aden Legislature not one of widening the franchise, as is suggested in this Question, to which I am sure everyone would agree, but that the proposals of the Legislative Council in Aden can narrow the franchise substantially, with the result that many Commonwealth citizens, Indian traders and some British residents, are likely to lose the franchise they already have? Is it not this which is causing the disquiet, and ought not the Government to be supported in helping the High Commissioner in Aden to postpone the elections until this matter is sorted out?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I thought I had already made it clear that Her Majesty's Government have reluctantly consented to the necessity for postponing these elections.