§ * MR. HICKS BEACH (Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the economic loss that will accrue to the inhabitants of St.
† See Col. 962.1468 Helena as the result of the withdrawal of the garrison from the island, His Majesty's Government propose to devote any sum of money to their relief in the form of a grant-in-aid.
§ MR. CHURCHILLIt would be premature to determine the question of a grant-in-aid from St. Helena until it is seen what effect the withdrawal of the garrison actually has upon the finances of the island. But my lion, friend may rest assured that the interests of this small colony which has so long been used for Imperial purposes, sometimes of capital importance, will not be a matter of indifference to the Secretary of State or to His Majesty's Government.
§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)Will consideration be given at the same time to similar placed Colonies such as Barbadoes?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI should like to have notice of that Question.