Cultural Artefact: Constitution of 1974
- Functions
- Constitution
Details
Legislative Assembly (1974-1978)
A new Constitution came into operation on 21 August 1974 under British Solomon Islands Order 1974. Under this Constitution, the Governing Council became the Legislative Assembly (q.v.) with a Speaker, Chief Minister and a Council of Ministers. There were twenty-four elected members, but the Constitution contained a return to the traditional division between the legislative and executive branches of the government, and a new ministerial system. Under an Order in Council from November 1975, the 1974 Constitution was amended and self-government was conferred on the Protectorate from 1 January 1976. Later in 1976 an election was held to fill thirty-eight seats of the Legislative Assembly. This remained unchanged at independence in 1978.