§ 75. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further steps in constitutional advance he has in mind for the British Somaliland Protectorate.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on the 27th November. But I have the future of the Protectorate very much in mind. I hope to be able to visit both Somaliland and Aden some time during the first three months of next year.
§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the disappointment felt by the Somali people, as represented by the National United Front, regarding the fact that the Somaliland Protectorate Government retains an official majority in the Legislative Council under the new constitution; and whether he will make his further statement on constitutional advance, that is promised for March, 1959, in the near future, so that the National United Front will be encouraged to give their full support to the future constitution, and co-operate fully in registering for the elections which are themselves expected for the month of March, 1959.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am aware that the National United Front are not completely satisfied with the arrangements recently announced for constitutional development, though I believe they recognise that they constitute a substantial advance. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Rankin) today.