§ MR. HICKS BEACH (Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury)I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the garrison has now left the island of St. Helena, His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to assist the inhabitants in mitigating the economic difficulties that are likely to ensue in consequence of the removal of the troops.
§ MR. CHURCHILLAs indicated in the reply to the hon. Member for Gravesend yesterday, the Secretary of State thinks it premature to discuss the question of a monetary grant at present, and hopes that the proposals for developing the natural resources of the island, as to which he is in communication with the representatives of the inhabitants, will have the effect of mitigating the economic difficulties.
§ MR. HICKS BEACHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that already large numbers of people are out of work, and that owing to the lack of funds the Colonial Government has been compelled to abandon the ordinary repairs of the roads in the island?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am not in possession of those facts.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOUR (Sussex, Horsham)When do you expect to be in possession of them, and what steps do the Government propose to take?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI cannot make any general statement. I can only repeat that efforts are being made to mitigate the economic congestion caused by the withdrawal of troops, a step not inaugurated by the present Government.
§ MR. HICKS BEACHWill the Government consider the granting of money for the repair of the roads?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI cannot answer any Question as to policy.
§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEY (Paddington, N.)Is not the case of St. Helena on all fours with that of Woolwich Arsenal?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. HICKS BEACHI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has yet sent any reply to a letter addressed to the Secretary of State by the St. Helena Committee in September last.
§ MR. CHURCHILLA reply was sent to the Committee on the 2nd of this month.