§ Miss WILKINSONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the refusal by the Governor of New South Wales of the request of the Premier, Mr. Lang, to appoint women to the Legislative Council has been referred to him, and what action he has taken?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, though I may observe that I do not understand that the Governor refused the additional appointments desired by his Ministers on the ground that the persons whom it was proposed to appoint were women. The second part of the question does not arise, but since there seems to be some misconception as to the position of the Secretary of State in relation to matters of this kind, I should like to take this opportunity of making it clear that, in my view, it would not be proper for the Secretary of State to issue instructions to the Governor with regard to the exercise of his constitutional duties.