HC Deb 04 November 1884 vol 293 cc903-4
MR. HEALY

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, If, according to the Colonial Regulations, all expenditure of public money in Crown Colonies is strictly forbidden until sanctioned by the Secretary of State; if so, and Lord Derby admits that the grant for the Anglican Parsonage in Grenada was improper, and "would not have been sanctioned if submitted to him," he can say who is responsible for not only voting but disbursing the money, without the permission of the Secretary of State; is he aware that in the Legislative Council the Local Government stated they had obtained Lord Derby's sanction; what notice has been taken of the irregularity and misrepresentation; why should not the authors of the misappropriation, and not the taxpayers, suffer by what has been done; and, what guarantee exists against the recurrence of such incidents?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

The hon. Member can see in The Colonial Office List, published annually, what are the rules and regulations affecting the question at issue. They do not prohibit all expenditure of public money in a Crown Colony until the sanction of the Secretary of State is obtained, although it is generally understood that, except in case of emergency, the Governor should not propose a Vote or authorize expenditure of an unusual description without such previous sanction. In the case referred to in the Question, Lord Derby considers that both the Governor and the Legislative Council committed an error of judgment; but, under the circumstance of the Governor holding a bonâ fide belief that there was a legal obligation to put the rectory-house in repair, Lord Derby does not think it necessary to take any action beyond that which he has already taken. He does not anticipate the recurrence of such incidents, and, therefore, does not consider it desirable to lay down any more stringent rule fettering the discretion hitherto wisely exercised by the Governors of Crown Colonies. We have no reason to believe that the local Government stated that they had obtained Lord Derby's sanction.