§ MR. JACOB BRIGHTasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there is any foundation for the complaints which have come from planters and others of the Leeward Islands, that instead of the reduction in expenditure contemplated by Her Majesty's Government under the consolidation of the separate Governments, the result thus far has been an increased expenditure with increased taxation?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, it is generally the case that the initiation of any considerable change in the form of a Government is attended by a temporary increase of expenditure. The consolidation of the Leeward Islands has been no exception to this general rule; but we have every hope and belief 1516 that, after a short interval, it will be found that economy as well as efficiency of administration have been promoted by that consolidation. Meanwhile, Her Majesty's Government omit no opportunity of urging upon the Government of the Leeward Islands the necessity of a vigilant control over local expenditure.