HC Deb 05 December 1956 vol 561 c133W
Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies and Protectorates there is universal suffrage for men and for both sexes, respectively; and what are the qualifications for franchise in other territories.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is no Colony or Protectorate in which suffrage is limited by sex alone. Universal suffrage obtains, in the following territories:

  • Antigua.
  • Barbados.
  • Falkland Islands.
  • Gibraltar.
  • Gold Coast.
  • Jamaica.
  • Malta.
  • Montserrat.
  • Nigeria (Eastern Region).
  • Nigeria (Lagos).
  • St. Christopher-Nevis.
  • Trinidad.
  • Virgin Islands.
  • Windward Islands.

The qualifications required in territories where the franchise is less wide were described in my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 21st March. Since that time the position has changed in Kenya. There, arrangements have been introduced for African men and women over 21 to exercise from one to three votes in accordance with qualifications based on education, higher education, property, long service in private or public employment, legislative experience, meritorious service and (in the case of men only) seniority.