HC Deb 02 December 1948 vol 458 cc210-1W
86. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will consider altering the composition of the Basutoland National Council to consist of equal numbers of elected and nominated members.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

The Basutoland Council has recently been reformed and the elected element increased. Under a Proclamation issued last August the new Council includes 18 members elected by the District Councils and six members elected by various Associations. The other members are nominated by the Paramount Chief; they represent the various districts of Basutoland in numbers which are proportionate to the population of the districts. In view of these facts, I think it would be premature to amend the constitution of the Council further so soon after the last reform has been carried through.