of a Speaker elected by the members; two ex officio members (the Chief Secretary and the Attorney-General), five members nominated by the Governor and twenty-four elected members. The Cabinet consisted of nine Ministers including the Premier, who were elected members of the Legislative Council, and two ex officio members (the Chief Secretary and the Attorney-General), neither of whom was entitled to vote. The Governor did not normally preside at Cabinet meetings, but had the power to call special meetings of the Cabinet and, if he did so, to preside over them. With certain exceptions, the Governor had to consult with the Cabinet in the exercise of his powers and act in accordance with its advice. At this stage, the Constitution also contained provisions for the establishment of a Judicial and Legal Service Commission and a Police Service Commission, as well as a Public Service Commission. The Governor was bound to accept the recommendations of these Commissions on appointments and promotions, except in respect of a few special posts.

In elections held on 24th September 1956, under the 1950 Constitution, as amended, the People's National Movement (P.N.M.) gained thirteen seats and formed a Government under the leadership of Dr Eric Williams. The People's Democratic Party (now the Democratic Labour Party-D.L.P.) gained five seats; the Home Rule Party two seats; the Trinidad Labour Party two seats and Independents two seats.

After further Constitutional discussions held in London in November 1959 and June 1960, the Secretary of State for the Colonies announced agreement on a new Constitution providing for full internal self-government with a bicameral legislature consisting of a nominated Senate and an elected House of Representatives. This new Constitution was brought fully into operation following the General Election held on 4th December 1961, at which the P.N.M. was again returned to power, winning twenty of the seats in the House of Representatives and polling 58 per cent of the total votes cast. The D.L.P. won the remaining ten seats polling 39.7 per cent of the total votes cast. The 1960 Constitution provided that of the twenty-one nominated members of the Senate, twelve should be appointed on the advice of the Premier, two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and seven by the Governor in his discretion to represent special interests. The Cabinet was to consist of the Premier (as the Chief Minister was now called) and not more than eleven other Ministers (of whom one would be the Attorney-General). There was a wholly-elected House of Representatives of 30 members which was later increased to 36 members. The People's National Movement was again returned at the General Election held on 7th November 1966, winning 24 of the 36 seats in the Lower House and polling 52 per cent of the votes cast. The Democatic Labour Party, which won the remaining 12 seats and polled 34 per cent of the votes cast, again formed the Opposition.

In 1958 the Federation of the West Indies was formed with a membership consisting of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and the Leeward and Windward Islands. Agreement had been reached in principle on a Constitution under which the Federation would proceed to Independence on 31st May 1962; but in September 1961 the Jamaican Government held a referendum on the question of membership of the Federation which resulted in a vote in favour of withdrawal. The British and the Jamaican Governments subsequently agreed that Jamaica would withdraw from the Federation and would proceed to Independence on its own. As a consequence, on 14th January 1962, the General

Council of the People's National Movement unanimously approved a resolution that Trinidad and Tobago should also proceed forthwith to independence without prejudice to the possibility of the territory's future association in a unitary state with other territories in the East Caribbean. The resolution also requested the Government to take the initiative in proposing the maximum possible measure of collaboration between the former members of the Federation of the West Indies regarding common services, and to declare their willingness to take part in and work for a Caribbean economic community. This resolution was endorsed at a special convention of the party held towards the end of January and the Government accepted the terms of the resolution as their policy in this matter. In April the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reply to a despatch from the Governor, agreed that Trinidad and Tobago should become independent as early as practicable in 1962, and proposed that, provided the necessary steps could be taken in time, an independence conference should be held in London towards the end of May to agree upon a constitution and the date of independence. Meanwhile, in February, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago had published the first draft of an independence constitution: this was distributed widely in the territory, and organisations and the general public were invited to submit written comments on it by 31st March. Over 160 memoranda were received, and from 25th to 27th April the Government held meetings with those who had submitted memoranda, at which the draft constitution was considered. The draft constitution, as amended in the light of these consultations, was considered by a Joint Select Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, after which it was debated and, on 11th May, approved by a majority of 16 to 9 in the House of Representatives.

The revised draft of the independence constitution, as approved by the Legislature, formed the basic document at the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Conference held in London between 28th May and 8th June 1962. At this Conference, at which the Trinidad and Tobago delegation unanimously expressed the wish that an independent Trinidad and Tobago should be accepted as a Member of the Commonwealth and stated that it was the firm wish of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to continue after Independence in their allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen, it was agreed that Trinidad and Tobago should become independent on the 31st August 1962.

CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago is contained in the Trinidad and Tobago (Constitution) Order in Council 1962 (S.I. 1962 No. 1875). It provides for a Governor-General, appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, and for a bicameral Legislature. The Senate (Upper House) consists of 24 Senators, 13 of whom are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, 4 on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and 7 on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with those religious, economic and social organisations from which the Prime Minister considers that such Senators should be selected. In 1966 the Electoral Boundaries Commission recommended that the number of seats in the House of Representatives (Lower House) be increased from 30 to 36. This proposal was adopted and the General Election of November 1966 was fought in 36 constituencies. There is universal adult suffrage. The normal life of Parliament is 5 years. The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, who must be a member of the House of Representatives, and such

other ministers as the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints from among the senators and members of the House of Representatives. The Attorney-General must be a member of the Cabinet. The Governor-General appoints as Leader of the Opposition the member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgement, is the Leader in the House of the party commanding the support of the largest number of members of the House in opposition to the Government.

The principal provisions of the Constitution are entrenched and, of these, the most important are specially entrenched. The ordinary entrenched provisions can only be amended by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of both Houses; these include the provisions relating to human rights and freedoms, prorogation of Parliament, appointment, etc., of judicial officers, the various Service Commissions and the office and functions of the Auditor-General. Specially entrenched provisions can only be altered by a vote of three-quarters of all the members of the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the Senate. The specially entrenched provisions included among other things those concerning the office of the Governor-General, the establishment of Parliament and the composition of the two Houses, general elections and the appointment of Senators, the establishment of boundaries and election commissions and matters affecting the Judiciary.

There is a Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of a High Court and a Court of Appeal, and in certain cases a further appeal lies to the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council. The Chief Justice is appointed by the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Prime Minister. Puisne Judges are appointed by the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commissions.

The Constitution also contains provisions relating to citizenship; an amendment to the Constitution in 1965 provided for a limited category of dual nationality.

GOVERNMENT

At the general election in May 1971 the People's National Movement won all 36 seats in the House of Representatives.

HEAD OF STATE

H.M. The Queen

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

His Excellency Sir Ellis Clarke, GCMG, QC (from February 1973)

GOVERNMENT

Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs and Minister of West Indian Affairs:
Dr The Hon. Eric Williams, MP, CH

Minister in the Ministry of External Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of West Indian
Affairs: Dr The Hon. C. Joseph, MP

Minister of Public Utilities: The Hon. S. J. Mohammed, MP

Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries: The Hon. L. M. Robinson, MP
Minister of Works: The Hon. V. Campbell, MP

Minister of National Security: The Hon. O. R. Padmore, MP

Minister of Health and Minister of Local Government: The Hon. K. Mohammed, MP Minister of Labour, Social Security and Cooperatives: The Hon. H. McClean, MP

Attorney-General and Minister for Legal Affairs: The Hon. B. Pitt, MP
Minister of Finance: The Hon. G. Chambers, MP

Minister of Planning and Development and Minister of Housing: The Hon. B. Barrow, MP
Minister of Education and Culture: The Hon. C. Gomes, MP
Minister of Industry and Commerce: The Hon. E. Mahabir, MP
Minister of Petroleum and Mines: Senator The Hon. F. C. Prevatt
Minister for Tobago Affairs: The Hon. W. Winchester, MP

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES

Ministry of the Prime Minister: The Hon. P. Manning, MP; The Hon. A. Ali, mp Ministry of Works: The Hon. W. Hinds, MP

For Better Village Programme and Special Works Projects: The Hon. Mrs M. Donawa-
McDavidson, MP

Ministry of Public Utilities: The Hon. K. T. Ali, MP
For Youth Affairs and Sport: The Hon. S. Charles, MP

SENATE

President of the Senate: Senator Dr Wahid Ali
Clerk of the Senate: Mr I. Carter

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Speaker: The Hon. A. Thomasos
Clerk: G. R. Latour

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE House of REPRESENTATIVES
Mr J. R. F. Richardson, MP

JUDICIARY

Court of Appeal

Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal: The Hon. Justice Sir Issac E. Hyatali
Mr Justice C. E. Phillips
Mr Justice K. de la Bastide
Mr Justice M. A. Corbin
Mr Justice E. A. Rees

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REPRESENTATIVES IN OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES Britain: Dr P. V. J. Solomon (High Commissioner); Canada: M. Ramcharan (High Commissioner); India, Sri Lanka and Singapore: S. Lutchman (High Commissioner) (resident in Delhi); Jamaica: C. Archibald (High Commissioner); Guyana: Mrs I. Teshea (High Commissioner); Barbados and West Indian Associated States: Mrs V. Crichlow (High Commissioner); Nigeria: J. Donaldson (High Commissioner); Uganda: J. R. Dumas (High Commissioner).

COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONERS
IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Britain: C. E. Diggines; Canada: A. J.
Matheson; India: B. Ahmad; Nigeria:
G. O. Kolade; Jamaica: V. C. Smith.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REPRESENTATION IN NON-COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES Brazil and Chile: G. Montano (Ambassador) (resident in Brasilia); Ethiopia: J. R. Dumas (Ambassador) (resident in Kampala); Belgium and E.E.C.: J. O'Neil Lewis (Ambassador); France, Italy and European Free Trade Association: Dr P. V. J. Solomon (Ambassador) (resident in London); Lebanon: M. Aziz (Chargé d'Affaires); Japan: (Vacant) (Ambassador); Switzerland: Dr B. Auguste (Chargé d'Affaires); United Nations and Cuba: E. Seignoret (Permanent Representative) (Ambassador); United States and Mexico: V. McIntyre (Ambas sador) (resident in Washington); Venezuela Peru, Colombia and Argentina: W. S. Naimool (Ambassador) (resident in Caracas).

U

UGANDA

GANDA is near the centre of the continent of Africa. It is bounded on the east by Kenya, on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda, on the west by Zaire and on the north by the Sudan. The distance from north to South of the country is about 400 miles and from east to west about 350 miles.

The total area is 91,076 square miles, of which 16,364 square miles are open water. This area of open water consists of parts of Lakes Victoria, Albert (Mobutu) and Edward (Amin) and all of Lakes George and Kyoga. From Lake Victoria at Jinja the Nile begins its 3,800 miles journey to the Mediterranean. Lake Victoria is 3,720 feet above sea level: in the north at the Sudan frontier the altitude is only 2,000 feet. The ground rises towards Mount Elgon (14,178 feet) in the east and towards the Ruwenzori Mountains in the west. The highest peak of the snow-capped Ruwenzori range is 16,794 feet, the third highest mountain in Africa. Uganda has thus great variety of landscape and vegetation.