89. Mr. Baldwinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long has elapsed since a request was received from the Government of the Seychelles for an amending Order in Council to enable the elective principle to be introduced into the legislature; what is the reason for the delay and when the proposed Order in Council will be enacted.
Mr. Creech JonesAt the end of 1945 the Governor was authorised to announce that steps would be taken in due course to amend the Constitutional Instruments to introduce the elective principle in respect of up to three unofficial members of the Legislature. I greatly regret the delay but it was unavoidable because of the need for extensive amendments to the Instruments and the heavy volume of Constitutional work now falling upon the Colonial Office. The detailed proposals are now ready and are about to be despatched to Seychelles. The date when the new constitution will be brought into force will depend on the course and results of local discussions of these proposals.