Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement about constitutional reform in the Gold Coast.
§ Colonel StanleyRecommendations for constitutional reform in the Gold Coast have recently been submitted by the Governor, after full consultation with representatives of African political opinion, and have received my approval in principle.
It is proposed to grant an unofficial majority on the Legislative Council of 1162W the Gold Coast, and to include on the Council representatives of Ashanti as well as of the Colony with a corresponding extension of its legislative authority. Under the proposals the Legislative Council would consist of the Governor as President, without a vote, and of the following Members:
Six Official Members, including the Chief Commissioners of Ashanti and the Northern Territories.Nine Provincial Members for the Colony, which would be divided into two Provinces, Eastern and Western, instead of three as at present; these members, of whom five would be drawn from the Eastern Province, and four from the Western Province, would be elected by the Joint Provincial Council.Four Members for Ashanti, who would be elected by the Ashanti Confederacy Council.Five Municipal Members, namely, two for Accra and one each for Cape Coast, Sekondi-Takoradi and Kumasi, who would be elected by ballot.Six Nominated Members, who would be appointed by the Governor.In addition, the Governor would have power to appoint extraordinary members, who would not be entitled to vote. The Governor would be granted reserve powers which would permit him to override a decision of the Legislative Council in the interests of public order, public faith or good government. Any such action by the Governor would be subject to revocation by the Secretary of State, except in the case of a Bill, which would be subject to disallowance by His Majesty.