§ 81. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the principal proposals for the revision of the Sarawak Constitution which have recently been generally agreed in that territory according to paragraph 109 of the Colonial Office Report for 1954–55; how far these proposals involve the repeal of Section 17; and to what extent in general these proposals will result in the Sarawak Parliament having less control over the affairs of the territory than it had before the cession of the State of Sarawak by the Rajah.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe proposals import the usual provision for the disallowance of legislation and for governors' reserved powers and therefore involve the repeal of Section 17 of the existing Constitution Ordinance. But their general effect is to increase the part which Unofficial Members of the Council will take in the affairs of the territory since unofficial representation on both Councils will be increased. All but four of the Unofficial Members of the Council Negri will be elected by divisional and municipal councils and will themselves elect the Unofficial Members of the Supreme Council. The proposals were debated in the Council Negri on a resolution moved by an Unofficial Member and were unanimously approved.