§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now say when the constitution of the Seychelles will be amended to allow an unofficial majority on both the Legislative and Executive Councils.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI would refer the hon. Member to the despatch from the Governor of the Seychelles published in the Seychelles Government Gazette of the 10th November, 1959, and setting out his proposals for the present constitution. I am sending a copy of the despatch to the hon. Member and placing one in the Library of the House. In paragraph 11 the Governor said he believed that the constitution would be well suited to the needs of the Colony until such time as there should appear to be any widely supported and real desire for elected representatives to share the responsibilities of Government and to take a direct part in its day-to-day administration. I agree with the Governor. I shall be prepared to consider further advances in the direction indicated by the hon. Member when I am satisfied that the time is ripe for them.