§ 78. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what dates have been proposed by the Government and Legislature of Sierra Leone for the introduction of universal adult suffrage.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Sierra Leone Government accept universal adult suffrage as the goal to which Sierra Leone should move. They take the view, which Her Majesty's Government share, that for practical reasons progress must be by stages. A wide franchise is being introduced for the elections for the new House of Representatives, due to take place next month. This will result in virtually all taxpayers being enfranchised, together with some women. Until experience has shown how this advance works, it would be premature to make any firm commitment for the timing of the next stage.