§ Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about constitutional reform in the Leeward Islands.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn June last, Lord Baldwin had discussions in the Colonial Office on proposals for constitutional reform in the Leeward Islands. I have carefully considered his proposals and I have now accepted, in principle, that certain changes should be made in the General Legislative Council of the Colony, and in the Presidential Legislative Councils of Antigua. St. Kitts and Montserrat.
My view is that these changes should be broadly similar to those recently approved for Legislative Councils in the Windward Islands, and should include provision for unofficial elected majorities on the General Legislative Council of the Colony and the Legislative Councils of the three Presidencies. The details of the proposals have yet to be determined, but it is proposed, inter alia, that Presidential Legislatures shall elect certain members to the Executive Councils.