§ Dr. Segalasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what constitutional changes are projected for Sierra Leone; whether these have been fully discussed in the Legislative Council, the Protectorate Assembly and the District Councils; and whether he is satisfied that ample time was given for due consideration of these proposals before a final decision was taken.
Mr. Creech JonesNo final decision has yet been reached, but proposals are under consideration for reconstituting the Legislative Council so as to substitute an unofficial for the existing official majority, to increase the proportion of elected as against nominated members and to give the Protectorate a larger representation on the legislature. Proposals to this end were originally published locally on 12th August, 1947, and were very fully discussed with the unofficial members both of the Legislative Council and the Protectorate Assembly, although no actual debate in either of these bodies was held on them. The proposals were also given342W wide publicity through the local press and broadcasting service and were explained to the District Councils, from which the members of the Protectorate Assembly are drawn.
Following these discussions certain modifications have been made and it is intended that the proposals as modified should shortly be published locally with a view to discussions by the Legislative Council and the Protectorate Assembly. There will thus be ample further opportunity for the local expression of opinion.