HC Deb 22 July 1958 vol 592 cc224-5
59. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to improve the external communications of the Seychelles.

Mr. Profumo

Discussions have been going on between my Department and the British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd. I am glad of the opportunity of expressing the gratitude of Her Majesty's Government to this company for the imaginative interest it has shown in the transport problems to these beautiful islands. The company hopes to make a statement in the near future.

Mr. Swingler

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his satisfactory reply. Has he taken note of the fact that it took him from 11th March to 18th July to answer the query I put to him on the subject of external communications in the Seychelles and that these four months seem to have shown that there is something wrong with the external communications? Will further action be taken?

Mr. Profumo

That is a wider question, but I hope the hon. Gentleman has noted the answer I have given him in this case.