§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what was the reason for the refusal of the request for a copy of the shorthand notes taken at the interview with the delegates of the Gold Coast Aborigines Rights Protection Society at the Colonial Office on 16th August, 1935;
(2) why, contrary to precedent and the courtesy which had previously been extended to delegations to the Colonial Office from the Gold Coast, including those of the society, the solicitors of the Gold Coast Aborigines Rights Protection Society were refused attendance at the interview with the delegates of the society?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe purpose of the interview was primarily to enable the delegates to state their views on the questions raised in their petitions, and it was decided that in the circumstances the preferable course would be for them not to be accompanied by their legal adviser. No shorthand note was taken at the interview.