§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if it has yet been settled how the revenue of the Island of Tobago is to be recouped the loss of the fiscal duties levied before its incorporation with Trinidad; and if any steps are contemplated to arrest the present downward movement, and to assist Her Majesty's Commissioner in restoring the former prosperity of the island, due to the fertility of the soil and benignance of the climate?
§ MR. S. BUXTONThe Secretary of State has satisfied himself that the loss of revenue to Tobago due to the abolition of Import Duties between that island and Trinidad is inconsiderable, and that it is compensated by the advantage to the Tobago community of freedom of trade between the islands. The recent falling-off of the revenue of Tobago was mainly due to diminished production, caused, to a great extent, by disputes between planters and metayers, which has now been happily adjusted. Production appears to be now improving.