§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish a White Paper to indicate the correspondence and results of conferences to give effect to the present constitution of Nigeria with special reference to the representations made by the Northern Territories that for the present they should not be forced into the political arrangements of Nigeria as a complete entity.
§ Mr. HopkinsonI do not think that a White Paper is necessary as the reports of the proceedings of the conferences in Nigeria which preceded the introduction of the present constitution, and the relevant despatches between the then Secretary of State and the Governor, were published at the time. Copies were put on sale by the Crown Agents and were placed in the Library of the House.
In particular, I would cite the Report of the Proceedings of the General Conference on the Review of the Constitution, 1950, and the despatches exchanged between my predecessor and the Governor which later were published in Nigerian Government Gazettes Nos. 35 and 65 of 1951. The published material shows that the North agreed to participate in the constitution after its views on certain points, notably the North's numerical representation in the central legislature and on the allocation of revenue, had been met.
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§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been made on behalf of the Administration of the Northern Territories of Nigeria that their attitude towards the constitution, as drawn up now, should be reconsidered in order that these Territories may, if they so desire, contract-out of the existing scheme.
§ Mr. HopkinsonDuring his recent visit to Nigeria, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State heard the views of members of the Northern Region Executive Council on constitutional revision. The Northern Regional Houses are now in session and are, I understand, considering their attitude.