HC Deb 09 November 1950 vol 480 cc98-9W
Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why members nominated to represent special interests in the new Legislative Council of the Gold Coast are not to have votes; and what precedents there are for this.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The Coussey Committee recommended that under the new Constitution the chambers of commerce and mines should be represented by one member each in the Legislature as at present. The Legislative Council has since agreed that this should be increased to three members each, but that only the first of these three members should have full voting powers in the Legislature. The other two should not have a vote in the full Assembly, but should each have a vote in Select Committees to which they are from time to time appointed. It is provided in many colonial constitutions that extraordinary members may be appointed to the Legislature for particular occasions when it is thought that the Legislature should have the assistance of such persons, but such members do not have the right to vote.