24. Captain A. Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the situation in Trinidad; whether any changes are contemplated in the local government; and whether any regular troops will be stationed there in the future?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have received no information from the Government of Trinidad since the report of the Commission was published yesterday, but up till then the situation was quiet. With regard to the second part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member will now be aware that the appointment of a new Governor was recently announced in the Press, consequent upon the resignation of Sir Murchison Fletcher on grounds of ill-health. It has also been decided to appoint an Industrial Adviser to the 220 Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The question whether the presence of a permanent garrison in Trinidad is justified in the general interests of Imperial defence is being examined.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsIs there any validity in the statement published today that further riots have broken out in Trinidad following the publication of the report?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have no confirmation of that report, which I have seen in only one paper.
§ Mr. GallacherWould it not be a logical outcome of the report that such a state of things should arise?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, he is one of the staff of the Ministry of Labour here, and he is shortly sailing for Trinidad.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat is not a matter for me to decide.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWill the Government see that the official concerned does not draw his unemployment pay for six weeks?
§ Mr. C. S. TaylorIn view of the opinions expressed in this House last night, which show that several Members do not seem to have been correctly informed on this matter, does not my right hon. Friend think that it would somewhat clear the air if there was a debate in the near future on the Commission's report?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe question of the allocation of the time of the House is not a matter for me but for the Leader of the House.
§ 26. Mr. Maxton(for Mr. McGovern) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the sugar companies in Trinidad who have benefited from the sugar subsidy; the amount of benefit in each case; and what proportion of this benefit has been passed on in increased wages over the same period in each case?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreAll individuals and companies who grow or crush sugar-cane 221 in Trinidad, as in all other Colonies, benefit by the preference on sugar in the United Kingdom and Canada, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring. The extent to which they benefit is determined by the scale of their operations. It is impossible to state the amounts involved and the use to which they have been put.
§ Mr. MaxtonI imagine that my hon. Friend wants something different from the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given. Could the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of some of the principal beneficiaries?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, I do not think I could possibly do so. The custom in Trinidad is for growers to grow the cane on their own holdings and take it to various factories, and it is impossible to give the names of individuals.
§ Mr. MaxtonMay I take it that there are no distinguished British capitalists who are getting a share of this particular type of "swag"?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThere are some British companies which crush cane in Trinidad. Notably, a large concern operating there is Tate and Lyle.
§ Mr. RileyHas the right hon. Gentleman any evidence of any increase of wages having taken place since the preference has been in force?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI would like notice as regards the amount; there certainly have been increases.