Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recent amendments have been made in the Constitution of British Guiana?
§ Colonel StanleyThe Constitution has been amended in the following principal respects:
(1) Legislative Council.
Previous Members.
Colonial Secretary,
Attorney-General,
Ex officio.
8 nominated official members,
5 nominated,
14 elected, Unofficial members.
New Members.
Colonial Secretary,
Attorney-General,
Colonial Treasurer,
Ex officio.
7 nominated,
14 elected, Unofficial members.
All the official members with the exception of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Colonial Treasurer have, it will be seen, been withdrawn, and the elected members have been placed in a majority in the Council.
The number of nominated unofficial members has been increased from 5 to 7 in order to permit of nominations covering a wider field than previously.
1859W(2) Executive Council.
The Executive Council has been reconstituted to consist of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Colonial Treasurer ex officio and 5 unofficial members of the Legislative Council instead of as previously, the Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General ex officio, 4 official and 5 unofficial members of the Legislative Council.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the new Constitution for British Guiana, giving some indication of its terms and showing, particularly, the extent to which the suffrage has been extended?
§ Colonel StanleyI would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply which I have given to a Question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) regarding the British Guiana Constitution. The question of suffrage is under consideration by a local Franchise Commission; and accordingly no change has yet been made in this respect.