§ Sir A. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what proposals he has received from the Falkland Islands for constitutional change.
§ Mr. SandysSince the recent general elections in the Colony the Governor of the Falkland Islands has held discussions with the Executive and Legislative Councils and has submitted to me agreed proposals for changes in the composition of both Councils. It is proposed that the non-elected membership of the Legislative Council should be reduced by omitting one of the three ex-officio members and the two nominated official members. The Council would then consist of the Governor, the Colonial Secretary and the Colonial Treasurer, two nominated independent members and four elected members. In the Executive Council one of the three official members would be omitted and the unofficials would consist of two appointed members and two elected members of Legislative Council chosen by a ballot of the elected and independent members of Legislative Council.
I have agreed to recommend these proposals to the Queen and I shall submit the draft instruments to Her Majesty in due course.